International iBookstores to launch in tandem with iPads
updated 11:45 am EDT, Fri May 7, 2010
Not all countries confirmed
Most or all countries getting the iPad on May 28th will also get iBooks and access to the iBookstore at the same time, Apple has disclosed. So far confirmed are Australia, Canada, Italy, Japan, Spain and the UK. France, Germany and Switzerland are likely to have iBooks support as well, but this has yet to be mentioned by Apple.
The company has always had some trouble expanding its digital storefronts to other countries, particular in terms of apps and video. At root is the complexity of negotiating rights with labels, studios, carriers and various other parties, all of whom may have different rules and interests to abide by. Apple has been in talks with book and magazine publishers for months, though how often international plans have come up is a secret.
