Los Angeles (CA) – Following a similar announcements made earlier this year by EMI (iTunes , Musicnet), Universal Music Group will be releasing music tracks without an integrated technology that restricts the use of the music files.

The DRM-free offer is scheduled to begin on August 21 and will be available through eight online stores, including Amazon.com, Google, Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Rhapsody, Transworld, PassAlong and Puretracks. iTunes, which is claimed by Apple to hold more than 75% of the digital music market in the U.S. is not included in this list.

Other than the announcement of EMI, Universal so far has committed to a time-limited trial, as the DRM-free music will be available only until December 31, 2007. But Universal is more aggressive in promoting this offering, as the company will not be charging a premium for this music over DRM-equipped tracks. The music will generally sell for 99 cents per song, but apparently for as low as 88 cents at Walmart.com

Among the first retailers to announce the participation in the trial were Real Network's Rhapsody and Best Buy. Subscribers of Rhapsody, which is available for $13 and $15 per month, can purchase DRM-free tracks for 89 cents per song; the company will also offer tracks for 99 cents to non subscribers. In a statement released today, Rhapsody said that "albums and songs from many of the [Universal's] top-selling artists, including 50 Cent, Amy Winehouse, The Pussycat Dolls, The Police and Johnny Cash among others" will be available in an "open [256 kbps] MP3 format with no rights management restrictions."

According to Universal, the DRM-free music will be made available in MP3 format, but retailers have the option to sell the music in any other format they wish.

“Based on what we hear from customers and our own research, we firmly believe DRM-free music is what the consumer wants,” said Jennifer Schaidler, vice president of music for Best Buy. "We believe customers will respond positively to the idea of getting unprotected music without having to pay more for that freedom.”

Best Buy's music platform is also based on Real's Rhapsody service and will be offering songs for 89 cents for subscribers and 99 cents for non-subscribers.

Apple did not comment on today's announcements. According to an article recently published in the New York Times, Universal refused to renew a music distribution contract with Apple last month.

This is very interesting. Regardless of how well it...

Aug 10, 2007 12:54     

This is very interesting. Regardless of how well it works or doesn't work, consumers are protected with any purchase they make of DRM-free music - even if the company decides to pull the plug on the project. This is a great trend - I hope more companies follow suit.
IdBuyThatForADollar report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Thumbs up

Aug 10, 2007 13:49     

I'd just like to offer a thumbs up to Universal, and a finger to Itunes.
G report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Two Thumbs Up

Aug 10, 2007 15:59     

Death to iTunes! WOOT!
Narg report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Yes!...

Aug 10, 2007 16:07     

Yes!
Eddie report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

So what?

Aug 10, 2007 16:13     

Oh wow, it is so nice of them to remove restrictions from something that you are paying for. I'm not impressed. DRM should not have been used in the first place. At least they arent charging more for DRM-free songs. I don't understand how itunes justifies charging a premium.
Eddie report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

great news

Aug 13, 2007 07:59     

I love that they are offering them and even more that they are 256bit rate. That is just great to be able to buy music, have it sound decent and be able to use it without worrying what device is DRM compatible. I hope it does very well and the trend catches on.
chris report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Maybe this would help M$ sell another Zune!

Aug 13, 2007 13:19     

None the less, this is great for my Sanza!!!
Steve report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

It is still compressed

Aug 21, 2007 09:34     

So we are happy because we are paying the same per track than we would should we decide to buy the album. But: -It is compressed with a lossy format. -They should have next to no publication costs.. compared to physical records. So it is better than the previous situation but still far from being reasonable: we need lossless compresion or no compression at all.
aitorbk report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

re: It is still compressed

Aug 23, 2007 00:34     

I agree that compressed is bad. But it was the publics want that took things in this direction. DRM is useless right now because ppl that purchase the CD can still upload it to others on the net. In the future when CD sales become a much smaller percentage of sales, I think DRM will get pushed back in with new music. You cant blame the labels for having DRM on tracks any more than you can blame a landlord or business for having insurance. Lets face it, both insurance and DMR are costs that the money to pay for them will somehow come out of the consumers pockets. The best way to stop DMR is to put moral pressure on any one that you may know that pirates music, esp right now at a time when the labels are giving DRM free music a go!!! Lets make this move by the work on the labels books, because if it doesnt make a positive difference to sales then DRM will come back again.

jay report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

DRM Free.

Sep 26, 2007 12:25     

DRM free is the way to be. :)
TomLeeM/BigWarpGuy report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Trust the Corporation

Oct 09, 2007 16:40     

The RIAA and Corporations are here for our own good. Sony loves us: http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/...-plus-dog. In this article, we can see where they will take us if we continue to give them free reign. Sony wants to lease us songs for a one-time use. Get rid of the recording industry "pimps" and get the money to the artists where it belongs.
The Good Son report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0