They’ve been mulling over the idea of stripping their music library of DRM for months, but now it’s official: EMI Music launches DRM-free superior sound quality downloads across its entire digital repertoire. Now, granted, they’re keeping their existing DRMified tunes, but they are also offering the entire library in DRM-free, higher quality downloads, too.
I for one applaud them for this decision. I thought it was a smart move to even consider it, and now that they’ve gone ahead and done it, I’ve gotta give them props. DRM is a colossal waste of time when you get right down to it – the same protected albums you download from iTunes or wherever can be purchased DRM-free on CD and ripped yourself, to say nothing of the number of people pushed to go download music from torrents or file sharing programs because they want nothing to do with DRM. I’ve bought music from iTunes – two albums so far – but I’m unlikely to buy more both because of the DRM, and because 128k MP3s just aren’t nearly good enough. Give me 160 minimum, 192k or above preferred, VBR or CBR.
Granted, EMI is the smallest of the Big Four, but if this idea results in more sales and a growing market share, it’s likely to give Warner a nudge to maintain their skimpy third-place lead. If the two of them show significant gains as a result of ditching DRM, the nibbling away at Sony BMG and Universal’s market share might just push them over the edge to do away with it as well.
It’s a nice thought, and how likely this scenario is to play out is purely speculative, but I’d love to see it happen.