Steve Jobs was in London today for the launch of Apple's iTunes service for the UK, France and Germany.

iTunes will carry 700,000 songs from the five major record labels and independents, and prices for the download service start at 79 pence or 99 euro cents per song.

The launch has been marred by the refusal of some independent labels to sign up, accusing Apple of giving the major labels better terms than the independents. Apple wants labels to sign up to a three-year deal with fixed wholesale prices.

A spokesman for the Association of Independent Music told The Register: "We are incredibly pro-iTunes and the fantastic job they've done of kick-starting the market for downloads in the US. But we are very disappointed that no deals have been done with independents in Europe - there'll be no Basement Jaxx or Dizzee Rascal on iTunes." ®

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