Apple opens up iTunes LP/Extras formats for indie labels, developers, more

Apple has held good to its promise to open up the iTunes LP and iTunes Extras format to developers, which in this case inevitably includes smaller music labels and movie studios, publishing a range of documents explaining the format. An October report earlier claimed Apple was keeping the new formats for major labels only and that the company was charging $10,000 for each piece of material released in the format.

The company denied this, promising the future release of “open specs for iTunes LP soon, allowing both major and indie labels to create their own. There is no production fee charged by Apple,” the company said.

One month on and the promise has been kept (as noted by TUAW). A dedicated page on the Apple website offers developers “everything you need to know to create a rich, interactive experience around your music and movies. All right in iTunes.”

There’s a few caveats: At present the submission process is manual and limited, but the company has undertaken to introduce utomatic, electronic submission of your iTunes LP or Extra content during the first quarter of 2010.

The company has made available templates for iTunes LP and iTunes Extras content. Developers only need to drop in their own metadata, artwork, audio files and video files. Apple has also introduced a detailed “how to” guide, offering step-by-step instructions and support.

Additional documentation includes a series of Best Practice guides, a development guide, testing resources and a new version of TuneKit, the framework used for the creation of these formats.