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EMI Music [announced this morning][1] that it will sell DRM-free downloads of its entire digital music catalog. Apple was also on hand for the announcement as the iTunes Store will be the first online music store to sell EMI's new downloads.
In addition to announcing the removal of DRM from its track, EMI also says that it will sell higher quality song files. The press release doesn't give a specific bit rate, saying simply, "Apple has announced that iTunes will make individual AAC format tracks available from EMI artists at twice the sound quality of existing downloads."
Since most iTunes Store Tracks are sold at 128kbps, that would put EMI's songs at 256kbps, not quite the 320kbps that many people (including me) were hoping for, but definitely a step in the right direction.
Naturally the improved sound quality comes at a slightly higher price -- EMI's DRM-free tracks will sell for $1.29, roughly 30 percent more than the price of standard iTunes Store downloads.
Although iTunes has the exclusive deal for the moment, EMI says that other stores will begin offer the DRM-free downloads "within the coming weeks." And the choice of file format has apparently been left up to the retailers, which opens the door for even higher quality recordings -- could high quality FLAC files be on the way?
If other retailers offer FLAC or other lossless format files for download, we could see the first real competition for the iTunes Store.
Although tracks purchased from the EMI catalog will be DRM free, EMI says in the press release that subscription based services will continue to use DRM.
But will EMI's announcement open the floodgates and bring an end to DRM as many are clamoring this morning? I'd like to think so, but somehow I doubt it.
EMI has been flirting with limited DRM downloads for a while now (check out Eliot's [past coverage on Listening Post][2]) and none of the other major labels have followed suit. Still, it's a nice fantasy to wake up to on an otherwise dreary Monday. Be sure to let us know what you think in the comments below.
[1]: http://www.emigroup.com/Press/2007/press18.htm "EMI Music launches DRM-free superior sound quality downloads across its entire digital repertoire"
[2]: http://blog.wired.com/music/2006/11/emi_artists_alb.html "EMI Artist's Album Presold as MP3s"
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