iTunes films catalogue expands to France, Ireland

AFP - Apple on Friday expanded its iTunes online film service to France and Ireland.

Films from major studios including Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, Walt Disney, Paramount Pictures and 20th Century Fox are now available for purchase or rental at the iPad, iPhone and iPod maker's Internet shop.

European studios with works in the line-up include Pathe, SND and StudioCanal in France and E1 Entertainment, Lionsgate UK and Optimum Releasing in Ireland, according to Cupertino, California-based Apple.

Films are available at iTunes on the same day they are released in DVD format and can be watched on iPods, iPhones, Macintosh or personal computers, or using Apple TV devices that link to television sets.

Available films touted by Apple include 3D blockbuster "Avatar," animated hit "Up," and teen-oriented "The Twilight Saga: New Moon."

Films rented at iTunes must be watched within 30 days of download. Once someone begins watching a film rented at iTunes they have two days to finish viewing it or "watch it multiple times," according to Apple.

Movies in the iTunes library may be rented for 2.99 euros while rentals of new releases cost 3.99 euros per film.

Films can be purchased for 7.99 euros for older titles, 9.99 euros for recent releases and 13.99 euros for new releases.