We put “Rent via iTunes” next to links which lead to the iTunes store.
The point is to make sure the reader understands the difference between purchasing a physical CD via Amazon (or anywhere else) and downloading an album from the iTunes Store (or other digital store).
When you buy a CD via Amazon (or anywhere else) you own the CD. You can do whatever you like with it. You can lend it to your friend, you can sell it to someone else, you can even destroy it.
When you download an album from iTunes you are actually purchasing a license to listen to music on a number of devices. While you can convert the tracks and make a CD out of them, you cannot sell the tracks themselves. You cannot sell the license.
It is our position that if you cannot sell something, you do not own it. Thus, we say “Rent via iTunes”.
These facts are true of the USA. Equivalent or similar rules may be in place in other jurisdictions, or they may not be.
Further reading:
- First Sale doctrine at Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First-sale_doctrine
- First Sale stories at Techdirt: https://www.techdirt.com/tag/first-sale-doctrine/
- First sale explainer at ALA: https://libguides.ala.org/copyright/firstsale
- Slightly deeper discussion of First Sale Doctrine at Bona Law: https://www.bonalaw.com/insights/legal-resources/first-sale-doctrine-in-trademark-and-copyright-law