Andre Yoskowitz
2 Apr 2007 6:58
In a huge announcement, Apple and EMI have announced that all of EMI's catalogue will be sold through the iTunes music store without DRM. EMI said in the announcements that all the songs will be available for $1.29 and users can upgrade their DRM locked songs to the DRM-free versions for 30 cents if they wish.
The bitrate of all of EMI's tracks will also jump from the now available 128kpbs to excellent quality 256kbps AAC files.
"We believe that offering consumers the opportunity to buy higher quality tracks and listen to them on the device or platform of their choice will boost sales of digital music," said EMI CEO Eric Nicoli during this morning's press conference.
Customers can still choose to buy the DRM locked, low bitrate tracks for 99 cents.
EMI also said that they would be selling unprotected music videos and albums at the existing prices through iTunes.
We can only hope that the rest of the Big Four labels will watch this revolution closely.
Source:
Arstechnica