hyperkik - 5:16 pm on Oct 18, 2003 (gmt 0)

If the average thirteen-year-old has a monthly allowance for music purchases, as iTunes permits, I expect that the average thirteen-year-old would fully exploit that allowance, even if also obtaining "free" music elsewhere.

I think one of the key factors for the success of iTunes is Apple's deep pockets. It is estimated that Apple makes thirty to forty cents per download, and that its expenses per download may be three times that much. Apple admits that iTunes will never be a significant money maker, even if it dominates the market. Apple has interests beyond the sale of music which inspired it to create, and to work for the success of, the iTunes service. I am not sure that competitors who seek primarily or exclusively to profit from the sale of music will have a rosy future (unless by "rosy" you mean "filled with red ink").