Apple trims prices of DRM-free songs

Stephen Withers
Wednesday, 17 October 2007 02:17

Business IT - Technology

When Apple first introduced higher-quality, DRM-free 'iTunes Plus' songs, they attracted a premium price of $US1.29 compared to $US0.99 for FairPlay-protected equivalents. That's now changing.

Apple is set to reduce the price of unprotected music to $US0.99. So far, EMI is the only major label to offer DRM-free tracks through the iTunes Store. Although Universal Music sells unprotected music through Wal-Mart, it has pointedly refused to supply Apple.

iTunes Plus tracks from independent labels will also be offered at $US0.99.

For consumers, the big advantage of DRM-free music is that it can be played on any device they own, and there is no arbitrary limit on the number of different devices that can be used.

The move is likely a response to Amazon and Wal-Mart undercutting the iTunes Store's price for unprotected music. While consumers - especially iPod owners - may be prepared to pay a few cents extra for the convenient integration offered by Apple, the idea of getting four songs for the price of three is clearly attractive.

Ironically, the idea that digital downloads should be priced below $US1 is largely of Apple's own making.

FairPlay-protected tracks will continue to sell for $US0.99.