07-26-2007, 04:00 PM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,968
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DRM-Free MP3s Coming to Yahoo, URGE
"MusicNet, the company that powers the song libraries of Yahoo! Music Unlimited and URGE, said Tuesday that it will make available over 1 million tracks in MP3 format without digital rights management. The move follows Apple offering DRM-free songs in its own AAC format through iTunes. Like Apple, MusicNet will offer the song catalog of EMI -- the only top record label currently willing to drop DRM requirements -- as well as several leading independent labels including Righteous Babe, Nettwerk, Madacy, Nitro, and others. By using the MP3 format as opposed to Windows Media, MusicNet will enable customers of Yahoo and URGE to transfer their songs to practically any portable media player they choose. Pricing and a specific launch date for the MP3 option has not been set, but MusicNet said it will happen this quarter."
I think it is a great idea to go with plain ol' MP3 files rather than WMA or AAC or any other proprietary format. I just wonder if moves like these will convince other major labels (other than EMI of course) to sign up in a similar scheme. I also wonder if Yahoo, Microsoft, Apple, etc will try and track if music piracy increases with a move like this.
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