DRM-Free Music Downloads From Amazon.com

Amazon.com is the latest super power to jump into the music downloads business.  Free Music Downloads are not likely to be an option to be offered, but music downloads will be free of copyright protected software.  This will enable users to play purchased music files on anything including a PC, Microsoft’s Zune and yes event the almighty Apple iPod.

Customers want listen to music on all of their devices, a big wheel at Amazon said.  The currently market share leader, iPod – does not allow users the ability to play copy-protected tunes bought from the likes of Napster or RealNetworks.  And Zune users cannot load music purchased from iTunes.  

The approach Amazon.com is taking will give music lovers more flexibility using their music downloads across many different platforms.  Amazon’s collection of DRM-free music will include Britain’s EMO Music Group and a host of 12,000 songs yet to be named.  While this seems to be a baby step in considering the millions of tunes available from iTunes, Napster and RealNetworks.  Amazon may set the tone for the future of music downloads that are DRM-free.

Apple does have plans to offer up music without DRM – but the cost will be 30 cents more per track ($1.29 each).  These DRM-free tunes are said to have superior sound quality.

Amazon.com currently has 66 million active customers, with a larger collection of DRM-free music downloads they will surely give iTunes a run for the billion dollar digital music industry.

In other music download news - RealNetworks is offering a free trail of their music downloading services.

Tim Somers
MusicHoncho.com