shouting loudly

EMI to offer DRM-free iTunes downloads

Customers of iTunes will soon be able to download DRM-free songs, EMI announced today.

The new DRM-free tracks will cost $1.29, instead of the $.99 standard fee for tracks encumbered by Apple’s FairPlay DRM scheme. As an added bonus, the audio quality will double from 128 to 256 kilobits per second. DRM-restricted singles from EMI artists such as the Beastie Boys and Bonnie Raitt will still be available for $.99 at the lower bit rate.

This may represent the beginning of the music industry realizing what the software industry realized in the eighties: DRM doesn’t work, it angers legitimate customers, and in most cases, is therefore not worth the development and support costs.

The Beatles, who are distributed by EMI, are still unavailable on iTunes. If you want to download “Hey, Jude,” you can only do it using unsanctioned methods. I don’t recommend such behavior, but I also wouldn’t coach any band (not even the best band ever) to put their fans in such a no-win situation.