DRM-free albums on iTunes
Although CDs remain a common way that people acquire music, digital music services continue to build momentum. Unfortunately, many of the most popular of these "services" are P2P file-sharing sites, much to the dismay of the music industry and many musicians. After all, it's a free-for-all in the most literal sense.
But the enticement of free songs is not the only reason -- or even the main reason -- that users head to P2P sites for their digital music needs. A little thing called digital rights management (DRM) is also to blame.
There was once a time when almost nobody knew -- or cared to know -- a thing about DRM. Then the Apple iPod came along, and both it and the complementary iTunes Music Store became popular. Subsequently, there were those who sought out competitors to the iPod and alternatives to iTunes. Suddenly, DRM started to mean something to more and more people as they became aware that tracks purchased in iTunes wouldn't work on non-iPod MP3 players, nor could they transfer tracks from stores selling DRM-proteced WMA files to their iPods. It didn't take long for consumers to realise that what DRM meant for them was a big pain in the neck.
In the beginning, DRM was simply a way to protect the rights of the artists whose music was being illegally distributed. Many people in the music industry initially saw the technology as a necessary evil that needed to be put in place for content creators to make sure that they were being fairly compensated for their work. However, DRM wraps songs in a copy-protection code that's not only restrictive but also confusing for many people. Nobody wants to buy a bunch of music on one service, only to find out later that they can't play it on this MP3 player, or that computer, or this operating system.
The good news is that the negative attitude toward DRM has kept nearly every independent label from utilising the technology, and it has pressured the four major labels into backing out of the restriction-laden model. That means there are ever-increasing options for legally acquiring DRM-free music. While not all DRM-free music can be played back on every single device, taking DRM out of the equation makes things considerably easier for the consumer.
In Australia the major player so far is Apple, which now offers DRM-free "iTunes Plus" tracks from artists signed to EMI and other smaller labels. Amazon has also appeared on the horizon, announcing in January that its DRM-free download service will be available internationally later this year. The store currently offers music from every major record label to its US-based customers.
How to get DRM-free tracks
Hopefully, the time when nobody has to know or care about DRM will come again soon. Meanwhile, you can use this chart to ensure that you're getting the most that the digital music landscape has to offer -- legal tunes that don't come saddled with restrictions.
| Store name | Channel Go | iTunes | JB Hi-Fi Music | Sound Foundation |
| Price per track | AU$1.69 | AU$1.69 | AU$1.69 | AU$1.40 |
| File type | MP3 | AAC | MP3 | MP3 |
| Type of music | Mainstream and independent | Mainstream and independent | Mainstream and independent | Independent artists |
| Example artists | The White Stripes, Gotye, Joel Turner, M.I.A. | Gorillaz, Silverchair, Robbie Williams, Coldplay, Missy Higgins, Daft Punk, Goldfrapp, Ben Lee | The White Stripes, Gotye, Joel Turner, M.I.A. | Ash Grunwald, Diana Ah Naid, Eurogliders, Grace Knight, Lazaro's Dog, Sarah McGregor, The Naked Apes |
| Web site link | Channel Go | iTunes | JB Hi-Fi Music | Sound Foundation |
Note: Channel Go and JB Hi-Fi are both powered by Destra, and mainly offer protected WMA tracks. Each has a small selection of MP3s.
Ella Morton contributed to this story
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JayJaySmaker
05/03/2008 01:08 AM
Thanks for writing this article. I have been wondering where the reality was after all the hype about DRM-free music becoming available. I buy CD's becuase the few times I've purchased music on-line have left me with music I can't play anywhere. Those pesky licenses for the songs sit on one computer, the MP3's somewhere else and my MP3 player doesn't recognize them. I won't buy from illegal sites nor get them from P2P sites. So... CD's is the only way I go. But, if I could get DRM-free MP3's I know I would purchase a few hundred song's that I currently want but don't want to purchase the entire CD. Waiting in the wings for sanity to return to the music industry. JayJay
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Ryan
05/03/2008 01:15 AM
I'm sure all tracks on iTunes are in AAC format, including the DRM free tracks.
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Ella Morton
05/03/2008 10:49 AM
Right you are Ryan, thank you for pointing that out. The table's been changed. (This means that the tracks are compatible with fewer players, so check whether yours will handle AAC files as well as MP3.)
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