iTunes To Sell DRM Free Music

Apple announced about the contract with EMI to sell digital rights management (DRM) free music on iTunes.

EMI, is one of the four big record labels and it already has a contract with Amazon.com, which is the largest internet retailer. And now it is signing agreement with Apple. The whole EMI catalogue will be available on iTunes except 'The Beatles'.

DRM is a restriction on digital music, so that only a currently defined device and software can play it. For example, Apple sells music on iTunes which can be played only on iPods, music player devices manufactured by Apple, or WMA music files that can be played only with Microsoft's Windows Media Player software.

This restriction is a kind of copy protection made by music recording labels, but it limits the users' choice to have a music player devise or software they desire. DRM free music will be very popular among users, but it somehow frightens record labels.

The first step to DRM free music was made by Amazon.com. It has already signed agreements with some record labels, but the major record labels such as Sony BMG, Warner Music and Universal Music Group are still discussing this question.

Amazon.com has promised to have DRM free music available 'later this year', but Apple has overcome this announcement, promising to make tracks available at the end of May. Songs will cost $1.29 each, which is 30 cents more than limited versions. These tracks will be twice better in quality than the copy protected ones.

By Ruzan Harutyunyan for HULIQ

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