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"Apple has been criticised for seemingly exploiting the death of Whitney Houston after the price of her albums on iTunes increased. However, further reports have indicated that label Sony Music is responsible for the hike. Fans of the late singer, who was found dead in Los Angeles yesterday (February 11) at the age of 48, spoke out after discovering that the cost of her back catalogue had been put up since her passing.   Houston&amp;#039;s 2007 Ultimate Collection increased by \u00C2\u00A33 to \u00C2\u00A37.99 in the space of just 30 minutes, with iTunes users reporting that they were prevented from downloading the LP at its original advertised price while the update occurred. It is not yet known who is behind the price increase, with some fans suggesting the label Sony Music or publisher may be responsible. Some accused Apple of &amp;quot;cashing in&amp;quot; on the tragedy, while others said that the company should be &amp;quot;ashamed&amp;quot; of supposed &amp;quot;shameless exploitation&amp;quot;. One customer, who claimed to have spent two hours trying to purchase the Ultimate Collection at its original price, added: &amp;quot;To say I am angry is an understatement and I feel it is just a case of iTunes cashing in on the singer&amp;#039;s death, which in my opinion is totally parasitic.  &amp;quot;The album itself is great so please don&amp;#039;t be put off purchasing it, just [realise] that you will merely be lining some fatcat&amp;#039;s pocket before Whitney&amp;#039;s lifeless body is cold.&amp;quot;  Digital Spy readers have also registered their objection at the new prices, with Twitter user @CallumGriffiths describing the move as &amp;quot;disgusting&amp;quot;.  He added: &amp;quot;Understandable that she would go up in the charts, but that&amp;#039;s just making every last penny they can from her death!&amp;quot; Another, @InTheLittleWood, argued: &amp;quot;I&amp;#039;d say disgusted but maybe artists have agreements with their labels about it, to ensure their kids / family stay afloat?&amp;quot; Despite the price increase, the Official Charts Company has said that they expect Houston to dominate the singles and album charts next week.  &amp;gt; Whitney Houston: Greatest musical achievements - pictures &amp;gt; What is Whitney Houston&amp;#039;s best song? Poll &amp;gt; Clive Davis dedicates pre-Grammy party to Whitney Houston &amp;gt; Whitney Houston death: Jennifer Hudson to pay tribute at Grammys &amp;gt; Bobby Brown: &amp;quot;I love you, Whitney&amp;quot; Click through a gallery of pictures of Whitney Houston&amp;#039;s life: "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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