[via Wired]

As we had discussed here and here, the iTunes store went down in China early last week and was restored over the weekend. As it turns out, while the service is restored, Chinese authorities have apparently discovered a way to selectively block the offending album, “Songs for Tibet”.

How is this a favour for Apple? There were in a no-win situation. If they stood their ground and refused to pull the album as a condition for iTunes stores availability in China, they might win cheers from humanitarian groups while losing a potentially lucrative iPhone market which may not have been in the best interest of its stockholders. If they caved and pulled the album, they would be painted by some as giving in to a totalitarian regime which goes completely against American sensibilities (America being the most relevant as Apple is based in California).

So thank you, China…? I guess…