China Blocks iTunes Over Pro-Tibet Song

When music and politics clash, those who just want to hear some good tunes suffer.

At least that's the general sentiment among a Chinese population that has lost access to Apple's music download service. This situation has persisted for a week and left iPod's starved.

Beijing has chosen not to comment on the issue but most observers are confident this has something to do with the recent launch of a pro-Tibet album on the service. The album includes contributions from Alanis Morissette and Underworld, plus a short talk by none other than the Dalai Lama. The album was heavily downloaded around the world within hours of its release aptly timed to coincide with the Olympics. It has also been featured prominently among iTunes promotions.

The album is being pushed by the Art of Peace Foundation that is hoping to support the cause of Tibet through such peaceful means. But seems like Beijing will have none of it and Apple's representatives can only talk of looking into 'technical issues'.