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  • DRM-free songs make entry in Apple's iTMS

    From The Register:




    Updated In a rumoured deal between Apple Inc and EMI, the Beatles could soon be available to download from iTunes free from copy protection limits.
    EMI whetted Beatles' fans appetites yesterday with an invite sent out to sections of the media announcing an "exciting new digital offering".

    Jobs has been loudly dissing DRM (digital rights management) for some time now and this possible EMI deal suggests another crowd-pleasing move away from copy protection limits.
    Apple Inc had been involved in a bun fight with record label Apple Corp until February this year when the two fruity giants settled a long-running dispute over trademarks.
    EMI has been the main distributor of the Fab Four's huge catalogue of music since the 1960s.
    But elsewhere, industry gossip suggests that today's announcement has nothing to do with the Beatles at all and could even see Apple strengthening its position on DRM, coming out in favour of Microsoft's copy protection software.
    There will also be a "special live performance" at today's much talked-up event and seeing as it's unlikely that we will see the two surviving members of the Beatles jamming with Jobs, it's a gig that may hold the key to what this "exiting new digital offering" from EMI is really about.
    It's a lot of hot air and speculation at the moment but all will be revealed soon. We'll have more later... ®
    Update
    EMI and Apple have confirmed that the record company's catalogue will be available on iTunes unencumbered by DRM. More unexpectedly, for an extra 20 pence per track on the current 79 pence price in the UK, and 30 cents on the 99 cents US cost, there'll be the chance to download AAC tracks encoded at 256Kbps, twice the current rating of 128Kbps. Users with existing EMI libraries will be able to upgrade if they pay the extra.
    The new DRM-free tunes will go live in May. No news yet on the Beatles.



    Hello.
    In Soviet Russia, Fake borises YOU.

  • #2
    Pay extra...?
    "The issue is there are still many people out there that use religion as a crutch for bigotry and hate. Like Ben."
    Ben Kenobi: "That means I'm doing something right. "

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    • #3
      I guess the EU's law suit against Apple's anti-competitive practices is finally scared Apple into doing the right thing. Better late then never.
      Try http://wordforge.net/index.php for discussion and debate.

      Comment


      • #4
        Originally posted by Asher
        Pay extra...?
        From Apple's perspective, it's understandable.

        As I've already said, there are signs of Jobs being interested in turning the content business itself into a profitable one for Apple.

        His involvement with Disney seems to be headed in that direction.

        This said, I'm skeptical about the probability of success of the new move.
        In Soviet Russia, Fake borises YOU.

        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by Oerdin
          I guess the EU's law suit against Apple's anti-competitive practices is finally scared Apple into doing the right thing. Better late then never.
          Don't be silly, you know this is a philosophy classroom argument.
          In Soviet Russia, Fake borises YOU.

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by Oncle Boris
            From Apple's perspective, it's understandable.
            .
            No ****. I'm just pointing out this isn't rah-rah consumer rights, it's rah-rah milking customers.
            "The issue is there are still many people out there that use religion as a crutch for bigotry and hate. Like Ben."
            Ben Kenobi: "That means I'm doing something right. "

            Comment


            • #7
              As far as I'm concerned, I'd be willing to pay $15 for an entire album encoded at sufficient quality and void of DRM.

              The problem is that music from the minor labels still hasn't made its way into the iTMS. Apple needs to undergo a massive effort to enroll locale-specific artists.
              In Soviet Russia, Fake borises YOU.

              Comment


              • #8
                Actually, I wonder if the extra 30 cents goes to the label altogether, or has Apple reserved a share of it?
                In Soviet Russia, Fake borises YOU.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by Oncle Boris
                  As far as I'm concerned, I'd be willing to pay $15 for an entire album encoded at sufficient quality and void of DRM.
                  Why not just pay $12 for a CD and rip it at 320Kbps?
                  "The issue is there are still many people out there that use religion as a crutch for bigotry and hate. Like Ben."
                  Ben Kenobi: "That means I'm doing something right. "

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    This is assuming, of course, than the retail store price is higher than $15 (or $13 to be more precise).

                    Many CDs from smaller labels still cost in the $15-20 range.

                    EDIT: another advantage I can think of is the ability for me to download music I can't find on P2P and can't buy in France.
                    For this to happen though, Apple would need to seriously expand its catalogue beyond success artists.
                    In Soviet Russia, Fake borises YOU.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      To get my money it needs to be DRM free, high quality, and cheaper than the stores.
                      "The issue is there are still many people out there that use religion as a crutch for bigotry and hate. Like Ben."
                      Ben Kenobi: "That means I'm doing something right. "

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by Oncle Boris
                        EDIT: another advantage I can think of is the ability for me to download music I can't find on P2P and can't buy in France.
                        For this to happen though, Apple would need to seriously expand its catalogue beyond success artists.
                        France? Seriously?

                        WTF would you do that... go somewhere nice.
                        "The issue is there are still many people out there that use religion as a crutch for bigotry and hate. Like Ben."
                        Ben Kenobi: "That means I'm doing something right. "

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          I've been living in France for a year and a half now… I love it here.
                          In Soviet Russia, Fake borises YOU.

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                          • #14
                            You should be ashamed.
                            "The issue is there are still many people out there that use religion as a crutch for bigotry and hate. Like Ben."
                            Ben Kenobi: "That means I'm doing something right. "

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              French guys tend to be cute and well-dressed.

                              Not as handsome as us French Canadians, but close.
                              In Soviet Russia, Fake borises YOU.

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