EMI wants to flog DRM-free MP3s, says WSJ

MAKER OF SPINNING platters, EMI is chatting with online retailers about the best way to flog its back catalogue without that nasty DRM protection.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Blighty-based EMI asked the retailers to submit proposals by Thursday telling the company what size advance payments they would offer in exchange for the right to sell EMI's music as MP3s.

When Associated Press tried to follow up the rumour, a spokesEMI said she didn't comment on rumour and speculation. Although, to be fair it is unusual for the WSJ to print rumour and speculation.

Apparently, EMI is one of several major music companies that have recently floated the idea of scrapping copy protections. However this is the first time that a major record label has actually gone as far as approaching retailers.

EMI has experimented with releasing DRM-free singles in MP3 format over the last few months. Apparently these experiments has proved highly successful.

More here. µ