Nooo! Pandora closes to international users

My favouritest online music service, the ad-free, great-taste-in-grown-up-music, eclectic, Mac-compatible and beautifully-interfaced Pandora, has been forced to block international users because of dumb-ass US music industry licensing constraints.

I was using Pandora this morning, and then this afternoon, it was turned off. At least I was there for the end. And it could be worse; I could have also shelled-out cash for one of those living-room music streaming boxes that integrated with Pandora, in which case I'd now have a very expensive paperweight.

Poor Pandora must now negotiate on a per-label, per-country basis for the overseas rights to each artist they want to broadcast.

It's terrible news for Australian fans because our access to Pandora will surely be restored after Canada, Europe, and most of Asia. In other words, sometime in the year 3000 when we're all taking flying saucers to work, dressing in one-piece aluminium suits, and eating meals in pill form.

Doesn't matter - I will still want my Pandora back!

clipped from www.pandora.com We are deeply, deeply sorry to say that due to licensing constraints, we can no longer allow access to Pandora for most listeners located outside of the U.S. We will continue to work diligently to realize the vision of a truly global Pandora, but for the time being we are required to restrict its use. We are very sad to have to do this, but there is no other alternative.