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EMI takes locks off music tracks EMI takes locks off music tracks
(10 minutes later)
EMI is taking software locks off some of its digital music songs sold via download sites. Music giant EMI is taking software locks off its digital music sold via download sites such as iTunes.
The "premium" versions of EMI tracks will lack the digital locks common to songs available via many online sites.The "premium" versions of EMI tracks will lack the digital locks common to songs available via many online sites.
The move is significant because most download sites currently try to limit piracy by restricting what people can do with music they buy.The move is significant because most download sites currently try to limit piracy by restricting what people can do with music they buy.
Apple's iTunes store will start selling the EMI tracks in the "premium" format in May. Apple's iTunes store will start selling the EMI tracks in the "premium" format in May, with other services to follow.
Track changesTrack changes
EMI said every song in its catalogue will be available in the "premium" format. It said the tracks without locks will cost more and be of higher quality than those it offers now.EMI said every song in its catalogue will be available in the "premium" format. It said the tracks without locks will cost more and be of higher quality than those it offers now.
Popular EMI artists include Lily Allen, Joss Stone, Robbie Williams, Coldplay and Corinne Bailey Rae.Popular EMI artists include Lily Allen, Joss Stone, Robbie Williams, Coldplay and Corinne Bailey Rae.
Contrary to early speculation there was no announcement about music from The Beatles going online in any format. Contrary to early speculation there was no announcement about music from the Beatles going online in any format.
The higher price will apply only to single tracks that customers download. On iTunes EMI tracks free of digital rights management (DRM) software will cost $1.29 (99p).The higher price will apply only to single tracks that customers download. On iTunes EMI tracks free of digital rights management (DRM) software will cost $1.29 (99p).
Itunes users will be able to upgrade previously purchased EMI songs and albums for 30 cents (20p) a track.Itunes users will be able to upgrade previously purchased EMI songs and albums for 30 cents (20p) a track.
Fans will be able to buy "premium" tracks that are twice the sound quality of currently available EMI tracks.Fans will be able to buy "premium" tracks that are twice the sound quality of currently available EMI tracks.
Apple will continue to sell DRM-protected versions of music tracks, including those from EMI, for 99 cents (79p).Apple will continue to sell DRM-protected versions of music tracks, including those from EMI, for 99 cents (79p).
HAVE YOUR SAY I think it's only a matter of time before the industry releases all music without any protection Jamie Vaide, London Send us your comments "Consumers tell us they would be prepared to pay a higher price for a piece of music they can play on any player," said EMI boss Eric Nicoli. HAVE YOUR SAY I think it's only a matter of time before the industry releases all music without any protection Jamie Vaide, London Send us your comments
By contrast albums free of DRM and those with it will be the same price. "Consumers tell us they would be prepared to pay a higher price for a piece of music they can play on any player," said EMI boss Eric Nicoli.
Mr Nicoli said the move did not diminish EMI's fight against piracy. All EMI albums will now be free of DRM and at the higher quality with no increase in price.
Mr Nicoli said the move did not diminish EMI's fight against piracy. DRM has been hailed by some in the industry as the most effective way to stop illicit copying.
"We have to trust our consumers," he said. "We have always argued that the best way to combat illegal traffic is to make legal content available at decent value and convenient.""We have to trust our consumers," he said. "We have always argued that the best way to combat illegal traffic is to make legal content available at decent value and convenient."
EMI unveiled the "premium" content at a hastily arranged press conference held in London.EMI unveiled the "premium" content at a hastily arranged press conference held in London.
Apple boss Steve Jobs shared the platform with Mr Nicoli and said: "This is the next big step forward in the digital music revolution - the movement to completely interoperable DRM-free music."Apple boss Steve Jobs shared the platform with Mr Nicoli and said: "This is the next big step forward in the digital music revolution - the movement to completely interoperable DRM-free music."
He added: "The right thing to do is to tear down walls that precluded interoperability by going DRM-free and that starts here today."He added: "The right thing to do is to tear down walls that precluded interoperability by going DRM-free and that starts here today."
The move means that consumers will be able to move music tracks between different music players at will. Although this is possible today it typically involves converting downloaded tracks into neutral formats - which often means a loss of quality. The music and video markets are not parallel. The video industry does not deliver 90% of its content DRM-free Steve Jobs on why DRM-free video is not coming soon
The move means that consumers will be able to move music tracks between different music players at will. For example, EMI songs bought via iTunes could be played on not just iPods but on other players too.
Although this is possible today it typically involves converting downloaded tracks into neutral formats - which often means a loss of quality.
Other record companies would soon follow EMI's lead, predicted Mr Jobs.Other record companies would soon follow EMI's lead, predicted Mr Jobs.
Open letter
He said the more than half of all the tracks available in the iTunes store would be available DRM-free by the end of the year.
In January Mr Jobs issued an open letter to the music industry calling on it to abandon DRM.In January Mr Jobs issued an open letter to the music industry calling on it to abandon DRM.
Although DRM is designed to thwart pirates by limiting how many copies people can make of tracks and where they can play them, critics argue that it goes further than the law allows and punishes innocent consumers.Although DRM is designed to thwart pirates by limiting how many copies people can make of tracks and where they can play them, critics argue that it goes further than the law allows and punishes innocent consumers.
Mr Jobs said the move to remove DRM on music was not a precursor to a similar step in the video market.
"The music and video markets are not parallel. The video industry does not deliver 90% of its content DRM-free."
He denied that the 99p cost for tracks without DRM constituted a price increase.
"We are adding another product, priced higher, with more features, higher sound quality and hassle free interoperability.
"It's not a price increase."