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Apple Negotiating For More DRM-Free Tunes?
Samir Makwana, Nov 21, 2008 1156 hrs ISTIn talks with three major music labels
It's been rumored lately that Apple is in talks with four big labels in the recording industry to offer DRM-free music for free through iTunes. As reported by CNET, as per two industry sources, after EMI, Apple is in talks with three major music labels to procure DRM-free songs.
Apple has been offering songs in AAC format to achieve better sound quality at specific bit rates, and it also packs album artwork along with purchase information in the same file.
If Apple manages to forge this deal with the major music labels, then songs from iTunes will no longer be iPhone or iPod restricted for playback. However, it will become a concern for Amazon who currently offers MP3 tracks, since last year. Also, Steve Jobs, last February, appealed to these big music labels to drop the DRM and allow the sale of tracks over the web, thus making them compatible with all types of portable media players.
Due to Apple's inflexible pricing strategies for iTunes, music labels other than EMI refuse to deal with Apple on DRM-free tracks. It's also been reported that Universal Music will join EMI and the Warner team to license their catalogs for Microsoft's Zune Marketplace, and will offer MP3s for sale.
Apple's discussion with the companies is expected to bring about something that would be in the best interests of everyone involved. As of now, Indians might not give a damn about DRMed songs, but if Apple starts offering DRM-free songs with the big four music labels in their pocket, then Indian recording labels might rush to enter into a deal with Apple. It's merely a hypothetical possibility.
Would you buy DRM-free songs from iTunes if Indian music labels enter into a deal with Apple? Do let us know.
Source: Digital Media
Apple has been offering songs in AAC format to achieve better sound quality at specific bit rates, and it also packs album artwork along with purchase information in the same file.
If Apple manages to forge this deal with the major music labels, then songs from iTunes will no longer be iPhone or iPod restricted for playback. However, it will become a concern for Amazon who currently offers MP3 tracks, since last year. Also, Steve Jobs, last February, appealed to these big music labels to drop the DRM and allow the sale of tracks over the web, thus making them compatible with all types of portable media players.
Due to Apple's inflexible pricing strategies for iTunes, music labels other than EMI refuse to deal with Apple on DRM-free tracks. It's also been reported that Universal Music will join EMI and the Warner team to license their catalogs for Microsoft's Zune Marketplace, and will offer MP3s for sale.
Apple's discussion with the companies is expected to bring about something that would be in the best interests of everyone involved. As of now, Indians might not give a damn about DRMed songs, but if Apple starts offering DRM-free songs with the big four music labels in their pocket, then Indian recording labels might rush to enter into a deal with Apple. It's merely a hypothetical possibility.
Would you buy DRM-free songs from iTunes if Indian music labels enter into a deal with Apple? Do let us know.
Source: Digital Media
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Sohan
,Pune, on Nov 22, 2008 11:26 AM
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