Apple iTunes to launch DRM free music from Universal, Sony and Warner

We talked about the relationship between drm and music-lovers many many times, both on our blog and during conferences and events: DRM, as such, is a loosing war.

So Apple is about to sell DRM-free music from Universal, Sony and Warner on its iTunes online store, something that both Wall-Mart and Amazon have been able to do for months.

At last, what we said already since 2004 and also on the IP Faber blog is becoming real: the majors are beginning to recognize that a DRM-free market is far bigger and lucrative than a store controlled with a (loosing) DRM system.

This is the confirmation that music Majors are beginning to understand their customers and give them what they want (a clear concept that was understood a long time ago by delivery-platforms providers and tech giants, and by some wise guy).

So it’s now time to move on and see how consumers react.

But we still have to make some points and try to open a debate:

– is this strategy a (late) reaction to the deep economic crisis of the traditional music industry?

– is the change a clear recognition of the fact that controlling and fighting for a  DRM protected world is useless and painful?

– is this move a strong signal of a new trend toward licensing, and try to squeeze every single cent of value from a product?

We know for sure that this DRM-free move on iTunes is a big improvement for customers (as it has been for Amazon amd Wall-Mart) and that this will be a big revenues bumper both for Apple and for its partners.

(IP Faber focuses on new music platforms and technology innovation. Contact us)

 Photo: “1984…meet DRM” by jbonnain