By Stevie Smith Apr 24, 2007, 17:42 GMT
With the recent well-received news that the EMI Group has abandoned DRM-protected music on Apple Inc.’s market leading iTunes Store – as well as other online download services – it has come to light today that online retail giant Amazon is probing the possibility of introducing DRM-free downloadable MP3 music before the close of May.
After already announcing its limited-time only Go Indie online store extension this week, which showcases 700 selected titles from artists signed to 30 renowned independent music labels, Amazon has “approached all the music majors in the past fortnight and said it wanted to sell unprotected MP3 songs in May as it tries to follow Apple in shaking up the music industry,” and the perception of restricted music downloads, relays a related TimesOnline report.
Further to this industry rumour, tech Web site TechTree is also claiming that Apple Inc. is preparing to open contract negotiations with all the major record companies and will “seek further concessions from them on selling music without copy-protection software.”
Without divulging its “industry sources,” TechTree also reports that Apple has already signed on the dotted line with EMI regarding its DRM-free agreement, which will leave the California-based consumer electronics giant in “a position of strength” when facing off with the remaining international labels (Universal, Sony BMG, Warner Music), which are stubbornly holding their music with DRM firmly intact.
While it is certainly conceivable that the Apple and EMI deal will, to some degree, leave the other hard-hitters “at a disadvantage” around the negotiating table, according to one observing music industry executive, it is also believed that Universal, Sony, and Warner Music, will be attempting to sidestep the issue of merely dropping DRM. Moreover, it is expected that they will steer any upcoming negotiations with Apple into the arena of variable song pricing, a possible iTunes Store subscription service, and the implementation of improved track bundles.
Perhaps worryingly for Apple, the threat of record companies demanding a percentage of sales attributed to the iPod music player – and perhaps even the upcoming music playing iPhone – also hangs in the air.
However, back on the anti-DRM front, Michael Robertson, founder of popular music download service MP3.com has revealed a fresh music site named AnywhereCD.com. Typically forward thinking, Robertson’s new DRM-free service offers consumers access to “MP3 + CD” album bundles (singles and EPs are not yet available); though it’s worth noting that the service is already embroiled in legal wrangling with Warner Music Group concerning apparent contractual issues.
Yet, with Microsoft also sniffing around the DRM pool of interest, it could well only be a matter of time before the major music players crumble and relent in their DRM insistence.
There are currently no comments for this article. Be the first to comment! (no registration required)
There are currently no comments for this article. Be the first to comment! (no registration required)