One of the things that I have been looking forward to as part of the launch of Windows Phone 7 is the move to increase the number of countries that the Zune Marketplace is available in, as well as the range of services.

After all, just as with Xbox Live, the Zune Marketplace is considered to be an integral part of Microsoft’s plans when it comes to unifying services across all their platforms. So, needless to say, I was excited to hear that Canada would be one of the countries that the Zune Marketplace is expanding into.

Then I read the official press release from Microsoft and shook my head in bewilderment. As you can see, Canada is on tap to be able to buy videos and rent movies.

Video purchase (U.K., France, Germany, Canada, Australia and New Zealand).  Consumers will now be able to purchase movies to download and watch anywhere — on the big screen in the living room with Xbox LIVE or their Windows-based PC. they will also be able to sync it to their Windows Phone 7 to enjoy on the go.

Movie rental (U.K., France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Ireland, Netherlands, Switzerland, Mexico, Canada, Australia and New Zealand). In addition to Zune video on Xbox LIVE, consumers in these countries will now be able to rent movies for viewing on their Windows-based PC or choose to sync the rental to their Windows Phone 7.

However, unlike countries like U.K., France, Italy, Spain and Germany the people of Canada won’t be able to buy or subscribe to music.

I am glad to see Zune expanding and Microsoft acting like a proud parent as it spreads the news, but you know what I want?  I want to know why we aren’t able to have the same access to music as other countries from around the world.

I want to know who exactly who I should be getting pissed with. Is it Microsoft or is it the entertainment industry?

Why do Spain or Germany have the privilege of buying music, but a country on the same continent as the United States does not?

It’s one thing to brag about how a service is expanding, but how about some honesty when it comes to exclusionary practices?

Come on, guys – why are Canucks getting screwed?

[Cross-posted from Winextra]