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Rumor: iTunes to Drop DRM Starting Tomorrow

Posted 12/09/08 at 10:22:54 AM  by Paul Lilly

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Newsflash - consumers hate DRM! Could it be that Apple finally got the message? Apparently so, according to a rumor at AppleInsider. Apple has yet to make an announcement, but AppleInsider claims iTunes may be dropping DRM completely starting tomorrow.

"A report from last week brought to AppleInsider's attention by French technology site ElectronLibre asserts that it's now 'clear' Apple will spark new interest in its music store by removing DRM from tracks published by Sony, Universal and Warner on December 9th,"AppleInsider writes.

Apple's iTunes Store, which claims 70 percent of the online digital music market, already offers DRM-free tracks from EMI and indie content. If all tracks moved to the same format, it could deal a blow to the competition, such as Amazon and Walmart, both of which offer DRM-free tracks from all major studios.

Throwing a wet blanket on the rumor is Cnet, who says that come tomorrow, don't expect any big changes. Cnet acknowledges that Apple is in negotiations with Universal, Sony, and Warner, but warned that none of the deals are final, with at least one source saying "it's unlikely Apple will have anything to announce regarding DRM-free music from the top labels before the end of the year."

In other words, cross your fingers but remain skeptical.

COMMENTS:7
TAGS: drm, Software, apple, itunes, rumor
COMMENTS
avatarI bought 5 games for my Ipod

Submitted by Keith E. Whisman on Wed, 12/10/2008 - 1:33am

I bought 5 games for my Ipod Classic Gen6. I want to reinstall Vista Ultimate but the first time I plug my Ipod into Itunes with the fresh install I'm going to lose my games as I don't have any more computers to transfer to. This sucks... 

Anyone know if I can reset my transfer limit? 

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avatari still dont like itunes.

Submitted by -it- on Tue, 12/09/2008 - 7:51pm

i still dont like itunes.

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avatarSteve Jobs is the Devil...

Submitted by Germ on Tue, 12/09/2008 - 3:28pm

Steve Jobs is the Devil...

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avatarthey would still...

Submitted by N25PHILLY on Tue, 12/09/2008 - 2:27pm

...need to pay me to use their garbage service.  The itunes software is one of the wost programs I have ever seen.

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avatar Well this will be enough

Submitted by Shalbatana on Tue, 12/09/2008 - 11:15am

 Well this will be enough to get me enthused about spending the rest of my gift card (which has sat for two years and 4 attempts to buy now, all but 1 resulting in giving up, and the other resulting in three hours of figuring a way around the DRM on two of the albums, just to make a CD version). Perhaps it might even be enough to keep my subscription for "someday" use. But I am still just not a fan of iTunes.

_______________________________

"There's no time like the future."

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avatarWell, we traded one big DRM

Submitted by I Jedi on Tue, 12/09/2008 - 8:50am

Well, we traded one big DRM problem (Music) in the industry for another. (Gaming)

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avatarif this does go through will

Submitted by nekollx on Tue, 12/09/2008 - 9:07am

if this does go through will our current DRM branded iTunes be unusuable (like walmart did) or re downloadable DRM free?

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