It was not that long ago that copy protection started appearing like it was going to rule over all the major label's music. However, just when it was starting to look like all the major labels were hooked on DRM, EMI finally decided to break free with Apple now launching its iTunes Plus service, featuring EMI's music library not only at twice the usual bitrate, but without the infamous Digital Rights Management (DRM).
The main advantage with the DRM-free tracks include much higher quality tracks at 256kbps; greater than pretty much all the other legal music services and the ability to play the tracks on any AAC compatible MP3 player, including Microsoft's Zune. As the tracks are free of DRM, consumers can convert these tracks to MP3 using any freely available AAC to MP3 conversion tool, allowing the tracks to be played on any MP3 player, including MP3 capable in-car stereos without the need to get something specialised in breaking DRM either.
London based EMI and Apple originally announced their partnership back in April to provide the industry's first major DRM-free song service. They both took the consumers interest of flexibility and CD quality audio into account. According to EMI, it took six months of work to convert most of the company's catalogue into the DRM-free format. On the other hand, iTunes is not the first to launch a DRM-free service, as eMusic has been running a DRM-free music store for several years now, although its music is limited mainly to independent labels. Amazon is also set to launch a DRM-free music store, which will also include EMI's music library.
Early this year, Apple CEO Steve Jobs called on the major labels to free their music of copy protection. At this launch, Jobs mentioned that EMI is a leader that others will follow and expects over half of Apple's 5 million song library to be made available in DRM-free versions by the end of the year. According to an IDC market research company industry analyst, Susan Kevorkian, the next generation of digital music will be free of usage restrictions and that other major music labels will need to drop DRM to combat the constant annual decline of CD sales.
The only drawback that may put off some is that the DRM-free tracks cost an additional 30c per song, with the original inferior quality DRM-infected songs still selling at the original price. In my opinion, this is not bad for something that is of far better quality and free of usage restrictions, especially when it comes to albums where quite often consumers only like 2 or 3 songs from an album. On the other hand, it does make me wonder whether this 30c hike is pure profit for the record label or if the artist gets an extra cut out of it.
The full story can be read on the Houston Chronicle. Thanks to GristyMcFisty for letting us know about this news.
