I've always wondered at which point do iTunes get the album ready to release it on iTunes?
When the pre-order goes up? Or what?

Would anyone care to enlighten me?

I really have no idea. I guess they probably send it to them a month or so before release. Or maybe even the week before. I really don't know.

I work in retail, and we typically get CDs in at least by the previous shipping day. I remember seeing Michael Buble's last album in the store's backroom around 10 days in advance.

I'm curious about the security to keep such an album from leaking to the public around the itunes corp. I wonder if its some lady handcuffed to a briefcase with a flashdrive with the Born This Way album. I bet there are at least three bodyguards around her at all times.