The much-anticipated launch of iTunes Australia is on hold due to, who else, a record company. Or, more specifically, a record company's lawyers.

According to the Courier-Mail:

A source said yesterday Apple had planned to launch an Australian version of its popular online music store last Thursday, as widely touted, but the launch was thwarted by one unnamed major record company that refused to sign an agreement in time.

The hurdle reportedly forced Apple to cancel radio advertisements ordered for the date, and it is expected to delay iTunes's launch by days, or possibly weeks, as song and album prices and payments are negotiated with the holdout label.