In September 2007 – just before I started this blog – I wrote an editorial on Pocket PC Central regarding the death of DRM-ed music. Amazon had just announced its AmazonMP3 online music store, which was the first music download service to offer all DRM-free music from major labels. AmazonMP3 was made possible (in large part) by EMI, the first major music label to allow its music tracks to be sold online without DRM "protection."
In the few short months after EMI’s decision, two of the other four labels caved on DRM, and today Slashdot is reporting that the remaining DRM holdout, Sony BMG, is planning to drop DRM in the near future. If true, each of the four major record labels will have abandoned DRM-ed music, finally allowing digital music lovers to enjoy purchased, downloaded music on whatever device they like. All I can say is: it’s about damn time.
Although iTunes began selling DRM-free tracks for $1.29 late last year, Amazon’s DRM-free MP3 tracks (which are compatible with ALL MP3 players, unlike iTune’s unprotected AAC files) were truly the straw that broke the labels’ back; Apple was the champion of online music purchases, but Amazon seems to have destroyed DRM without firing a shot.
We should each offer our thanks to Amazon, Inc., for pushing this development, and to the music labels for finally listening to their customers’ wishes. Congrats to Amazon and to music lovers everywhere!