Universal tries out DRM free downloads

Universal Music Group, the world's largest music label, has said it will temporarily allow the sale of thousands of its albums and tracks DRM-free.

Universal plans to make titles from artists like Amy Winehouse, the Black Eyed Peas, and 50 Cent available without DRM, starting later this month and running until January 2008.

They say their intention is to find out whether piracy via P2P networks increases as a result of removing the DRM. Files will be released with a watermark that identifies them, but not the purchaser of the song.

Earlier in the year, much smaller rival EMI began making its entire music catalog available in a DRM free format.

Source: The Register

Written by: Rich Fiscus @ 10 Aug 2007 6:28

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5 comments

DVDdoug

Another small step in the right direction! I'm getting more optimistic every day. I knew if EMI was successul with their experiment, the others would have to follow. Let's hope this limited MG experiment encourages them to open-up their entire UMG catalog permanently!

10.8.2007 09:26 #1

AXT

No DRM, $1 per song, and 320kbps compression (not 128kbps like itunes has on their DRMed songs) = perfect

10.8.2007 15:32 #2

webe123

Originally posted by AXT: No DRM, $1 per song, and 320kbps compression (not 128kbps like itunes has on their DRMed songs) = perfect
A dollar a song may seem "perfect" to you, but to ME it is still HIGHWAY ROBBERY!

Sorry, but until I see songs getting sensible about prices... I will understand why a lot of people turn to free.

10.8.2007 21:52 #3

hughjars

Good for Universal.....but yes, $1/�0.50p a song is still too expensive.

But at least it's a start (and with decent quality too).

11.8.2007 05:43 #4

borhan9

Two things need to occur before consumers start to purchase CD's again DRM needs to be left off the CD's and the price of the CD needs to drop as well.

17.8.2007 18:04 #5

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