Microsoft Confirms Move to DRM-Free Music

Lost amid the hoopla last week over EMI's announcement that it will
sell digital music without Digital Rights Management (DRM)
restrictions was the fact that Apple wasn't the only online music
service to sign on for the DRM-free music offerings. This week,
Microsoft also admitted that it will offer music without DRM.

"The EMI announcement is not exclusive to Apple," a Microsoft
spokesperson said. "Consumers have made it clear that unprotected
music is something they want. We plan on offering it to them as soon
as our label partners are comfortable with it." Microsoft said that it
has been working with EMI and other record labels for quite some time,
and will offer DRM-free music as soon as possible via the Zune
Marketplace, Microsoft's online service for the Zune.

What's unclear is which file format Microsoft will choose to sell its
music in. Apple will sell DRM-free music in the Advanced Audio Coding
(AAC) format, which has serious compatibility problems with non-Apple
hardware. Microsoft currently sells music on the Zune Marketplace in
the Windows Media Audio (WMA) format, which suggests that the company
will continue to do so when DRM is no longer required. However, EMI
said that online music services can use whatever format they'd like,
including the industry-standard MP3 format, which is the most
interoperable format.

If Microsoft would like to one-up Apple--and I'm guessing that the
software giant would--it should use the MP3 format. Doing so would be
a great way to ensure that the more expensive and consortium-owned AAC
format doesn't become the de facto standard.

End of Article

A suggestion, Paul: If you're going to write an opinion piece, label it as "opinion". More and more, your'e like the FOX "News" of the tech world.

lotsamystuff April 09, 2007 (Article Rating:

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Apple today announced that the 100 millionth iPod has been sold.

What is Zune Marketplace?

Better yet.. What is a Zune?

kabato April 09, 2007 (Article Rating:

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Paul in Internet Nexus "I was sort of amazed at how many articles about last week's EMI announcement pushed it as an Apple event"
Well maybe that was because the CEO of Apple flew over to London to actually join in the announcement.

"This week, Microsoft admitted that it, too, would offer music without DRM"
Admitted. That's a rather telling word. You might as well add that Microsoft admitted they will HAVE to offer DRM free music.... or just drop out of the game completely.

SPiotr April 09, 2007 (Article Rating:

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The format really doesn't matter since there are plenty of good convertors available although sound quality can be another issue. For the present, the most important aspect is that DRM needs to go away and if both Apple and Microsoft dump DRM completely then I commend them. But so far this isn't going to happen because it's simply selling without DRM at a higher price....clearly, something more is going on behind the scenes in another mindless Apple and Microsoft effort to dupe their customers.
In the end, it is really quite simple; just buy the physical CD rather than the online offerings and support the artists that matter and those artists that prefer it this way. If you buy music online then you have zero qualifications to complain about what is stated in the contract you have made to purchase in this manner. Buy the physical CD and WOW! you actually own the thing. What a concept.

treeorc April 09, 2007 (Article Rating:

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With EMI involved, you can bet that the Beatles catalog is a major part of the DRM issue. John must be rolling over in his grave. If he was still alive he'd wash his hands of all this junk.

treeorc April 09, 2007 (Article Rating:

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"....they should go with the MP3 format. That would be a great way to ensure that the more expensive and consortium-owned AAC format...."

Are you quite sure that MP3 is cheaper than AAC? Your mate David Caulton over at Zunester says that there is a content distribution fee for MP3s. It amounts to 2% of revenues.

eg.I million DRM free tracks a day. At say ...$1.29 each.... would amount to $9.4 million a year. Not great when your margins are pretty slim to begin with.

SPiotr April 09, 2007 (Article Rating:

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So last week EMI announces DRM-less music and Apple signs up. Everyone praises Apple.

This week Microsoft announces they too will be offering EMI's DRM-less music. Where are the Apple people to praise Microsoft for the exact same move?

jersey72 April 09, 2007 (Article Rating:

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"What is a Zune?"

Nothing, until they make use of the WiFi functionality more. Sandisk's Sansa Connect seems to have done a great job:
http://www.forbes.com/businesswire/feeds/businesswire/2007/04/09/businesswire20070409005397r1.html

shark47 April 09, 2007 (Article Rating:

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@Shark

Agreed, Wi-Fi will make or break the Zune, it's a great feature but as the generations come and go of new models, it will need improved.

Kudos Microsoft for moving to DRM-free music, I don't care what company joins in on this either, it's appluadable all across the board.

Reflections April 09, 2007 (Article Rating:

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