DRm is going down! Well… maybe not, but Apple and EMI Group Plc. have just reached an agreement allowing the free spread of EMI label’s music on iTunes. This means greater and greater freedom for those internet bodies who download and spread music, beginning trends and oftentimes greater success for artists. EMI is the licensed distributor for music of 60′s pop band, The Beatles.
Also, I noticed, that Puretracks, another music license holder had abolished DRm protection for their music! 2007 is slowly giving way to a rise in the death rate of DRm protected tracks. Who knows how many more companies will join in. Maybe some, maybe none, maybe a lot. I will definitely be keeping track of who, when, and why.
I do fully support the sale of music, and contributing to an artists hard work and willingness to share their talent with the rest of us. [That sounds a bit-- tacky--]
You know the both of us have been waiting for quite some time for this – finally !
Record labels (the majors) have realized their flaws of DRM. Also, iTunes’ very high market share of digital music gave Steve Jobs leverage in future negotiations (pricing, for example). The record labels knew this and didn’t want to be at another company’s mercy to distribute their product.
I just hope that the record companies don’t reverse their efforts if sales of non-DRM aren’t as high as they expect. More music will be purchased, but how much ?
I know that I’ll be purchasing more online music (but, why can’t emusic sell a la carte ?!).