Apple charging $10,000, barring indies from iTunes LP

Apple is not offering its new iTunes LP format to independent record labels, and is charging a handsome production fee for the creation of each release, according to a new report. An independent record label owner asked Apple what would be involved in making some of his label’s albums available in iTunes LP format, and an Apple sales representative replied that not only is the company not offering iTunes LP as an option for independent labels, but it is also charging a $10,000 production fee to create the files, putting the format out of reach for many smaller artists. iTunes LP was introduced by Apple alongside iTunes 9 at the company’s It’s Only Rock and Roll event on September 9; since its launch that day, the selection of iTunes LP offerings has expanded only slightly, going from 6 albums at launch to 13 today. [via Gizmodo]