I couldn’t be happier today. EMI has announced that starting in May you will be able to purchase DRM-free tracks in iTunes. The new DRM-free tracks will be $0.30 more but also will be twice the bitrate; 256Kbps instead of 128Kbps. Purchasers of existing DRMd EMI tracks will be able to upgrade their tracks to the higher quality DRM-free versions for $0.30 a piece. However, the real kicker is existing albums will remain the same $9.99 price and will be both DRM-free and higher quality. Combine that with the new Complete My Album feature of iTunes and EMI has an appealing offer.
Steve Jobs has certainly worked his magic again with a change that will benefit the entire music industry. If you think DRM-free tracks are a great idea, be sure to vote with your wallet. I know I’ll be picking up some CDs from bands such as Relient K, Switchfoot, Underoath, and Yellowcard. Hopefully by purchasing DRM-free music other record labels will be convinced that DRM-free is the way to go.
2 Comments
I absolutely agree that this will benefit not only iTunes but the recording industry as a whole. Are we seeing a shift in thinking taking place right before our eyes? I think so.
Fantastic!
I’m so glad Apple is pushing the studios to do this. They certainly weren’t the first to do it, but they’re definitely the most important company to get on the side of DRM-less music.
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