No one knows! Just be glad we have some kind of promo code system at all. Prior to Apple adding them, all developers could to if they wanted to send out free review copies of their games was to give out iTunes gift card codes. You can pretty easily create an American iTunes account to redeem codes though, so there's always that option.
Yep, i live in Beverly Hills (or at least that's what Apple thinks...) I use my UK account for everything aside from promo codes, though.
There are international laws for purchases and stuff, which prevents Apple from allowing promotional codes to be used outside of the US store. People still do it anyhow. It's probably the same reason why Canadians can't use iTunes cards to buy apps.
didn't know that. I've been reluctant to create a US account because it could mess things up on my ipod but i might try it in the future.
i made a thread about this a few weeks ago its very easy for people outside the US to use them too lazy to find a link tho
you're not supposed to create an account for a country you're not in though... so these are only unofficial (illegal?) workarounds. Aside from saying "there are international laws" it would be nice to know the specific reason why they only work in the US. I mean, who does Apple have to ask permission from really?
I suspect it has something to do with tax collection and disbursement. That's the party line we Canadians get whenever we ask why they don't accept PayPal or gift cards for apps in Canada.
er......its a promo code there is no payment or tax issues ! and often the developer is not even in the us either - so its a bit bizarre that a uk developer cannot give a promo code for the uk store ! - suspect its to do the apples promo datebase and where it is to be honest
Apple still has to have a paper trail to prove to the tax man which apps they made revenue on and which were downloaded for free via promo code. This isn't necessarily about taxation issues in other countries, but rather Apple's own records. (However, tax laws may also differ in other countries even with regard to what amount to gifts.)
I suppose it's like how regular retail coupons or gift cards can expire. Also, why iPod touch owners have to pay for firmware upgrades when they are "free" for the iPhone.
That one you can blame on the Sarbanes-Oxley act (or, if you prefer, Enron, who were the impetus to draft and pass the SarbOx act in the first place.) The value of the update for the iPhone is built-into the cost of the recurring service contract for the iPhone. The Touch has no service contract, so the value must be covered with a one-time fee.
