This story may yet have further developments but the facts so far are these. iTunes (confirmed in at least two countries, US and UK), amazon.com and Rhapsody (original forum post) are selling paid, apparently legal, downloads of a Smiths compilation "Rare".

iTunes can be found by searching in the iTunes store.

These three stores are very respected and would not willingly deal in illegal or bootleg releases.

Initial fan speculation was that it is a fake. Stephane from passionsjustlikemine said "I know what you mean, but it's still a bootleg. Even the artwork is bootleg quality." in the forum thread here. However, as the release of The Very Best Of The Smiths demonstrates, Warners have every legal right to compile previously released Smiths material as they see fit. Could this be a budget digital-only release? Or how was a bootlegger able to fool not one but three of the most reliable digital retailers in the business?

As posted by Vicarinatutugal in the forums...

So if anyone has noticed Kristeen Young is playing the Wireless Festival on July 4th with Moz. A friend of mine who speaks with baby Jeff told me that Morrissey has asked them back on tour.. apparently Girl in a Coma has declined on touring any further with Moz due to their own headlining tour...if this is true, ... god help us all.

Barry Egan's piece in the Independent, 8/6/08

Great poster of Three Legends of music on the POD Building in Dublin...
Going to all Three Gigs....Happy Days..

...just seen this. That young Liam Fray lad shares his love of Moz...

The Courteeners count down to Wireless - Virtual Festivals

Last week's BBC Culture show featured Sparks performing their single, Lighten Up Morrissey which can be viewed here.

Moz mentioned by Russell Brand on Tonight Show with Jay Leno
Russell Brand was Jay Leno's first guest and discussed his affection for Moz on June 9, 2008. In fact, he named his cat Morrissey. Quite a character yet seemed to get a little down on the mozzer when discussing his radio show when his mother asked Morrissey about his cat and he responded with "do you still have your cat?" Jay brought up how meeting your hero could be disappointing - lame and irrelevant since meeting Moz could never be a disappointment. Either way good to hear his name!

Russell Brand talks about Morrissey on Tonight Show
Russell Brand was a quest on The Tonight Show (Jay Leno)on Monday 6/9, and talked a bit about Morrissey. Here's the link to the Tonight show - you have to choose the "Monday, June 9th" episode.

Pete Wentz on TMZ getting gas from guy In Morrissey shirt
From 6/14 TMZ on TV (link):

Pete Wentz (aka Mr Ashlee Simpson) ran out of gas in the Valley last week and TMZ show a paparazzo wearing a Morrissey shirt (who came to his rescue) filling up his tank from a plastic gas container.

For UK or online listeners. BBC6 Music Plays It Again Overnight.

Wednesday 18 June, 3am
My Top 10 - Morrissey. In a programme first broadcast in 1984, Andy Peebles talks to then Smiths vocalist - who picks favourite songs including Billy Fury's 'I Will', John Leyton's 'Johnny Remember Me', Sandie Shaw's 'You’ve Not Changed' and Klaus Nomi's 'Death'.

This is not exactly Morrissey related, but there is the thinnest of connections of course.

This is great news for all, like me, who were sad when Mr Loehr was forced to shut his doors not too long ago.

James Dean Gallery moves back to Fairmount - MSNBC.com