Microsoft Set to Unlock EMI Songs, Too 171
linumax writes "Microsoft has stated that it may be close to reaching a deal with EMI to sell songs without anti-piracy protection via the Zune platform. This, from comments made by head of marketing for Zune Jason Reindorp. They come hard on the heels of EMI's announcement that a deal with Apple to sell songs without DRM protection through the iTunes Music Store has been struck. Mr Reindorp said: 'We've been saying for a while that we are aware that consumers want to have unprotected content. This does open things up a little bit. It potentially makes the competition more of a device-to-device or service-to-service basis, and will force the various services to really innovate.'"
Just for the record (Score:5, Informative)
If I'm not mistaken
But you are [techcrunch.com] (well, at least the real picture is a bit more muddled)
Re:no thanks to MS (Score:5, Informative)
I think you need to go back and read EMI's announcement [emigroup.com]. Some relevant quotes (emphasis added):
"From today, EMI's retailers will be offered downloads of tracks and albums in the DRM-free audio format of their choice in a variety of bit rates up to CD quality."
"EMI's new DRM-free products will enable full interoperability of digital music across all devices and platforms."
"Apple's iTunes Store (www.itunes.com) is the first online music store to receive EMI's new premium downloads."
EMI had always planned to make its catalog available to anyone that wants it, not just through iTunes and not just AAC files. The only exclusivity Apple ever had was in making the co-announcement.
Re:Since when? (Score:5, Informative)
This is just Microsoft spin at its quickest.
(Although he did also say, ""the stars were already aligning" to loosen the restrictions." (Ibid). Nothing like CYA.
Price comparison (Score:3, Informative)
Some facts to accompany your quip:
Coldplay's album "X&Y" is an EMI release.
Full album from iTunes Store = $11.99
Full album from Amazon = $11.97 + S&H
Full album from Best Buy = $13.99 in store
Full album from Caiman via Amazon Used & New = $11.93 with shipping
Sure iTunes isn't the absolute cheapest way to get it, but the tradeoff of price/convenience seems reasonable to me. Get it within minutes from iTunes, or pay $2.00 more and pick it up at Best Buy, or save $0.06 and get it in a few days from Caiman. I never thought the cost of the physical media was ever a big factor in the price of music.
AlpineR
Re:no thanks to MS (Score:5, Informative)
Re:.wma in iTunes (Score:2, Informative)
Re:.wma in iTunes (Score:4, Informative)
Re:So the question is... (Score:5, Informative)
Remember, EMI and Yahoo Music have been testing the waters with DRM-free MP3s and WMAs since at least July with music by Jessica Simpson, Jesse McCartney, Norah Jones, and Relient K. Steve's bold open letter was posted one month ago.
No one is "copying" anyone here... (Score:2, Informative)
EMI approached Apple. [macrumors.com]
They also said they would be fine with other stores doing it. Chances are pretty high that they also approached Microsoft, probably simultaneously, and that the details just took longer to hammer out and MS didn't want Apple to take all of the credit. Note the "may be close to signing a deal" language -- it takes a long time for big companies to get a deal signed.
-snarkbot
p.s. It is possible MS saw Apple doing it before they considered it, but that's a pretty damned quick turnaround time for a deal like this.
Re:Price comparison (Score:2, Informative)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0006L16N8
you will realize that the used and new price intentionally included the shipping in the price quote.