Apple expands DRM-free offerings, lowers to $.99
Apple announced today that they have expanded their iTunes Plus offerings
Whether it’s because of Amazon.com’s all DRM-free MP3 store, or this was Apple’s plan all along, the offerings from Apple have expanded, and gotten cheaper.
Launched with the support of EMI Records, iTunes Plus offered DRM-Free songs for $1.29 when it opened. The price has now lowered to $.99, keeping in line with Amazon’s offerings of $.89 to $.99 for their non-encoded MP3s.
As well as the price drop, Apple announced that the offerings have now expanded to 2,000,000 tracks and include offerings from such notable independents as Sub Pop, Nettwerk, Beggars Group, IODA, The Orchard and many others.
Conspicuously missing from the announcement were two facts: Why no other big labels have joined in, and would there be any way for purchasers of old tracks to upgrade to the new DRM-free versions. The former was not surprising, but the latter could be an issue. The did offer a program when EMI went to iTunes Plus where purchases could upgrade for $.30 a track, but there has been no mention made of it this time.
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October 23rd, 2007
“or this was Apple’s plan all along,”… Or, maybe it wasn’t. Evidence suggests Apple set forth legally licensing music it does not own or control from Universal, Sony BMG, Warner and EMI and in doing so, signed legal documents stating they would protect it from illegal copying. The simple act of the signing provides for liability (indemnity) on the part of Apple if said music is proved available for illegal download by basis of lack of protection. So, no… they’re not some bubbly beautiful warm and fuzzy group of gnomes out to make the world a better place. Just another company trying to make a buck. Sorry to disillusion you, if that’s even possible.