According to the AP article, two record company execs have said that Yahoo! has been talking with the major record labels. At this point, the four largest labels (Universal, Sony BMG, Warner, and EMI) have all agreed to make at least some of their catalog available as DRM-free MP3 files for other services including Amazon MP3. So it's probably only a matter of time before we see dozens of online services popping up with access to a large selection of DRM-free music from major label artists.
Yahoo! currently offers free and subscription online music streams rather than downloadable songs.
[via Techmeme]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-24-2008 @ 11:11AM
Joe Beaulaurier said...
Oh yeah, and more about DRM from Ian Rogers, VP Video and Media Applications at Yahoo! can be found at http://www.fistfulayen.com/blog/?p=145 and his recent presentation to the music industry at http://www.fistfulayen.com/blog/?p=147 .
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1-24-2008 @ 1:38PM
Joe Beaulaurier said...
"Yahoo! currently offers free and subscription online music streams rather than downloadable songs."
That's not quite accurate. http://music.yahoo.com/ymu/ Yahoo! Music Unlimited provides streaming, subscription and **purchased track/album downloading** for a monthly fee.
But that being noted, I don't download much with my YMU account since I really make the most use of the subscription service. Using a single YMU account, my wife, kids and I are able to replenish our mp3 players (read, ipod users need not apply) as often as we like with as many songs as we like. This is far less money than what people are telling me they spend to purchase the same via itunes.
I feel fortunate being a non-ipod owner since I am pretty certain I'm in the minority (altho I have never seen market share #s) and I don't think subscription services are looked upon kindly by the music industry. Yet, I am get optimum availability and selection for my music needs without spending more than the cost of a portion of an album per month - which is more than I would have spent if I had to leave my house to buy music.
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2-20-2008 @ 6:04PM
Turkey said...
DRM is evil!!!!!!!!!!!
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