[crimsonsky]

I'm not sure I understand why you even have to pay an upgrade fee. I mean you ALREADY own the music. (Well, at least have rights to it - not sure how music ownership plays out with DRM). Also, I noted that it would cost me about $37 to upgrade my music. But obviously the whole catalog hasn't been upgraded because I own a LOT more DRM'ed music than this total would indicate.

I have a Blackberry and a couple Windows Mobile devices, but I don't use them to listen to music. That's why I have two iPods! So having non-DRM music isn't hugely important to me. The only real benefit that I can see to upgrading is the increased bitrate, which would make a difference. (I use Ultimate Ears Triple-Fi 10 Pros, and yes, I can hear the difference between 128 and 256). When iTunes initially offered DRM-free tracks from EMI, I did do the upgrade and I think it cost me about $17 down and even that wasn't all the music from EMI I had.

I just rebel at the thought of paying twice for the same music, even if it is only a third of the original cost.