ITunes Store ("ITunes Music Store" before September 12, 2006) is an online digital media store operated by Apple and needs to be connected through iTunes software. Opened on April 28th, 2003, it is currently the number one music store in America [1]. By June 5438+ 10, 2009, iTunes Store had sold more than 6 billion songs, accounting for more than 70% of the global online music sales. [2]

Previously, due to the regulations of record companies, the use of downloaded music files was restricted and protected by Apple's "FairPlay" digital rights management technology. However, Apple has been committed to promoting DRM-free. First of all, some independent musicians began to open their music and lift copyright restrictions. Then EMI signed a copyright-free music download agreement with Apple for some music, but in exchange for the price of 1.29 USD/song, the music quality was improved from the original 128 kbit/s to 192 kbit/s, and on June 6, 2009, Apple announced that it would be listed in the store catalogue.

In Asia, only the iTunes Store in Japan currently includes music download service, while in Greater China, only the subordinate App Store is partially open for purchase and download.