EMI Unveils Plan to Sell Non-DRM Downloads For $1.29

EMI has announced that it plans to sell a large portion of their music catalog without Digital Rights Management (DRM). While this concept has been batted about in recent months, no major label has made such a committment. The non-DRM downloads will sell for $1.29 on iTunes, the industry leading online music store.

EMI held a press conference and made the big announcement with Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO who in an open letter to the industry implored them to strip the cumbersome DRM from their digital music files. By providing DRM-free downloads, EMI’s goal is to address the lack of interoperability which is frustrating for many consumers.

Apple said iTunes will make individual tracks available from EMI artists at twice the sound quality of existing downloads, with their DRM removed, at a price of $1.29. ITunes will continue to offer tracks to consumers at 99 cents but these will have standard sound quality and with DRM still applied. Customers who have already purchased standard tracks with DRM will be able to upgrade to DRM-free tracks for 30 cents. EMI said almost all of its catalog, excluding music by The Beatles, is included in the deal.

Author: FutureMusic

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