EMI, Apple to go DRM free

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL reported that Apple and EMI will make a joint announcement today to sell large chunks of its music catalogue free of digital rights management (DRM) software.

That will mark a reversal of the music industry's King Canute like trend to cope with technology and the internet by insisting vendors include software ostensibly aimed at protecting their intellectual property rights. Many, however, have concluded that the music industry in general is just totally ripping off people that buy stuff created by artists who often get ripped off too.

EMI is the third biggest music firm in terms of sales and has an extensive catalogue. It's a brave move but perhaps not as risky as the RIAA crows perching on the music industry's ivory tower seem to think.

L'INQ
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