- Font Size:
- Default font size
- Larger font size
By The Associated Press | Wednesday, August 22, 2007 | (No comments posted.)
BENTONVILLE, Ark. | Wal-Mart's online music store started selling songs free of copy-protection technology Tuesday for 94 cents per tune.
The songs from the Rolling Stones, Coldplay and Maroon 5, among others, will play on most portable media devices, including Apple Inc.'s iPod.
Although many independent music labels have for years sold their tunes without copy restrictions, major recording companies have insisted on digital-rights management, or DRM, technology in hopes of curbing online piracy.
DRM has been the source of consumer frustration. Copy-protected songs sold through iTunes, for instance, generally won't play on devices other than the iPod, and iPods can't play DRM-enabled songs bought at rival music stores.
Britain's EMI Group PLC earlier this year became the first of the major labels to embrace DRM-free tunes, letting Apple sell DRM-free versions of songs with higher audio quality for $1.29 per track.
Earlier this month, Vivendi SA's Universal Music Group -- the world's largest recording company -- made a portion of its catalog available online in the DRM-free MP3 format. Its test, which runs through Jan. 31, excluded iTunes.
Other outlets are also selling DRM-free music, including Amazon.com Inc., Best Buy Co. and RealNetworks Inc.'s Rhapsody. The format is also sold through gBox Inc., which gets referrals from Google searches for Universal's music.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest retailer and biggest seller of recorded music, said it plans to expand its DRM-free offerings in the future. It also will continue to sell songs in Microsoft Corp.'s WMA format for 88 cents each.
Back to story No comments posted.
- It wasn't clear, concise or focused on the topic in the story.
- It was a personal attack, vulgar, explicit or degrading, used actual or implied profanity or contained potentially libelous statements.
- It accused someone of being guilty of a crime.
- It promoted violence or illegal acts.
- It contained telephone numbers or street addresses, or e-mail addresses and links to Web sites other than nwi.com or government agencies.
In no way do these comments represent the views of The Times or Lee Enterprises.
Passionate views, pointed criticism and critical thinking are welcome. Name-calling, crude and profane language and personal abuse are not welcome.
Reader comments will not be edited - they will be approved or declined. They may be used in the print edition of the newspaper.
If you feel a posted comment has violated these guidelines, please email our New Media team the commenter's name, the comment and a link to the article.
For more information please read our Terms of Service.
Post a comment Once your comments are approved, they will appear here.
» More Business Stories
- Steel market going up, company shares unpredictable
- Tribune shareholders approve sale as expected, deal still needs financing, regulatory waivers
- INSIDE INDIANA BUSINESS column: Soybean processing,
biofuels plant
opens in Claypool - Dodd urges Bernanke to use all tools available to stem credit crisis
- Wild Oats' home proving ground for organic retailers
- Domestic automakers fight back
- MARKET RECAP