iTunes has opened its iTunes LP and Extras platforms to indie artists, labels and developers with a new set of instructions posted on their web site.

Automated electronic submission to iTunes LP and Extra will be added in the first quarter of 2010. Until then, the process is manual and limited. An existing iTunes contract is required, and all iTunes LP and Extras will be reviewed by the iTunes team “for appropriateness of content and for technical quality”.  Apple is also offering templates for both formats, as well as, a developers guide.

After the early September launch, Apple was criticized for not taking the new LP format far enough to add  real value and consumer engagement.  Now with a more open platform, the full potential of iTunes LP and of all bonus content should get long overdue attention.

Props to Hypebot