Amazon has made it known that they will be selling DRM-free MP3’s in the near future.
Every song and album in the Amazon.com digital music store will be available exclusively in the MP3 format without digital rights management (DRM) software.
The most notable part is that these are DRM-free MP3s, by far the most popular music format.
The next few months will be critical in determining the direction of digital music. If actual sales don’t increase, music labels will see this test run as proof that file-sharing is the root of all evil.
Personally, I look forward to being able to buy and burn my own CD for $9.99 (digital album price from iTunes). Well, unless Amazon matches their prices — I prefer MP3 over AAC for the sake of consistency. =P
It’s such an elegant solution, and so obvious. Sell something at a reasonable price with identical functionality, and the majority of people will pay for it instead of stealing it. In other words, make it more attractive to be honest. Same value, no risk?
Those downloaders that continue their lawless ways when presented with that choice are going to do so regardless of your attempts to curb their efforts, as always.
This is good news, Michi — and I heard it from you first.