iTunes + EMI go DRM-Free

A while ago, Steve Jobs wrote a lengthy open letter to the record industry that basically told the record industry to stop being paranoid and let iTunes sell music DRM-free. In other words, he wants get rid of the Protected AAC format.

After much debate between the digital distribution powerhouse and the record companies, EMI Music "has agreed to make its entire digital repertoire available free of digital rights management (DRM) restrictions, effective immediatelty," at a press conference in London. EMI Music is one of the Big Four major labels (and one of the largest music publishing companies in the world) that is home to Lily Allen, Coldplay, Corinne "Boring" Bailey Rae, Air and others.

The catch? There really isn't one except the fact that these DRM-free tracks will be $1.29 each. Hrmm... in my honest opinion, why pay more for mediocre music when you can find better shit (w/o DRM) on emusic.com for a fraction of the price? At the end of the day though, this is definitely a step in the right direction.

Anyhow, the Billboard article goes on to state that "sources at rival majors are expressing annoyance that EMI is jumping head first into a DRM-free environment without adequate research and testing." Right, because the majors are so good at research and testing. Remember that SonyBMG CD protection debacle a while back?

BTW, Eric Nicoli (pictured on right) looks thrilled to be there.