Thanks for the try, but that didn't explain it. That was one random person's speculation.

Apple has indicated that SOX is the reason they do this nominal fee stuff in the past.

Here's one example from 2007: http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/07/01/15/apple_to_impos...

Here's another more recent, longer in-depth article: http://blog.phirephoenix.com/1463/hey-apple-stop-hiding-behi...