August 10th, 2007
Universal Music Group to test DRM-Free Sales
By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews
Universal Music Group announced it will be testing sales of unprotected, DRM-free music, starting in August and continuing through January of next year. This follows EMI’s move to unprotected music earlier. However, UMG will not be selling the songs on iTunes, but rather will offer the songs through Amazon, RealNetworks, and retailers such as Best Buy and Wal-Mart.
The test will see UMG offering a portion of its catalog—primarily its most popular content—sold without DRM between August 21 and January 31 of next year. The format will be MP3, and songs will sell for 99¢ each, with the bitrate to be determined by the stores in question. Source: Ars Technica
We Say: Naturally there’s always the possibility that a successful trial will lead to a continuation of the program after January 31. While EMI’s unprotected songs on iTunes sell for more than the normal price - $1.29 instead of 99¢, UMG is going with the standard 99¢ price. Is DRM on the ropes? We can hope, can’t we?
Charles says:
Thanks but no. I’ll keep on buying my music DRM free on a CD.
That ‘test’ has been working fine for years. Plus, I get a ‘hifi’ version of the file, AND a compressed verion.
Two… two great tastes in one!
August 10th, 2007 at 7:46 am