Apple paid the tab for each iTunes user, so yes, unfortunately, it did count as sales. (I was more than a little amused by the idea that “Weird Al” Yankovic had the #1 album before this little stunt.)
Also, people who don’t use iTunes would have to buy it themselves if they actually wanted it. (I’ve heard even from U2 fans, that this album was crap, but I am too lazy to find out for myself even though I have an iTunes account).
Weird Al has “Word Crimes” and “Tacky”
They rock, check out the Youtube videos.
Apple is as crazy as Microsoft for that.
At least Microsoft got “Minecraft” or something
(I’ve heard even from U2 fans, that this album was crap, but I am too lazy to find out for myself even though I have an iTunes account).
The word on one Recording/Tech site from guys who have a pretty fair amount of respect for the band is that it is amateurish, or a step back in terms of production.