Apple EMI Annoucement followup

April 3rd, 2007

EMI and Apple have annouced that they will be selling DRM free music but it’s not that simple. The music will be vvery high quality (256bits instead of 128bit AAC) and cost 30% more ($1.29 – I’ve not seen UK pricing at this point).
Weirdly this is exactly what the DRM proponents have been saying DRM will bring up – greater choice in the way we’ll be able to buy music and video. There was supposed to be a $2.00 copy of ‘Mission Impossible’ that you could only watch on your television on weekends while the $20.00 copy allowed you to copy it to your iPod but not to your PSP.
Now the removal of DRM gives us these options. Very strange.
I’m very glad this happened but it does muddy the water somewhat – how are we supposed to compare DRM vs. non-DRM sales when they products are different and at different price points?
My thinking is that many people will just buy the restricted iPod versions anyway – I’m completely unable to tell the difference between songs at these quality levels and I own so much Apple hardware it’s irrelevant that I’m locked in – but audiophiles and a large percentage of regular people will buy the more expensive free version. I predict a 20% of people will find the extra value worth it.

Entry Filed under: DRM