Apple Announces DRM-Free Music with EMI

by Judson Collier • 04/02/2007 at 05:31 AM

Today at a press conference in London,Apple and EMI announced the availability of DRM-free music sold through the iTunes Store. Songs will be available in May for US $1.29, thirty cents more than tracks with DRM. A recent essay by Steve Jobs about the state of online music, found here preceded this announcement, calling on music labels to provide DRM-free music.

Not only will the songs lack DRM, but will also have 2x the song quality (256 kbps AAC). EMI made a major commitement, announcing that all their albums, and music videos are to be sold without DRM.

Apple and EMI have unveiled a pricing system for all the media EMI sells on the iTunes Store:
Songs: 99 cents per song with DRM; $1.29 without DRM;
Albums: $9.99- All EMI Albums without DRM, with no surplus.
Videos: $1.99- All EMI Videos without DRM, also with no surplus.

Apple will be providing a 1-click way to upgrade all your songs purchased through the iTunes store for only 30 cents per song. You can also individually upgrade your songs for 30 cents a piece. By the end of the year, Apple is projecting half of iTunes songs to be available without DRM.

There is no word on if iTunes intends to make syncing between third-party players capable, one of the many benefits of being without DRM.