Variable Pricing Hits iTunes

Roberto Baldwin — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 16:24:10 -0500

When Apple announced that they would be introducing variable pricing to the iTunes store, while at the same time removing DRM from its music, most figured Apple had made a deal with the devil. The devil being the music industry. Apple had ventured to the crossroads and returned with DRM-free music, but had paid a heavy price.

Well that price turns out to be $1.29. All music in the iTunes store is now DRM-Free iTunes Plus.

The new pricing plan gives the record companies the chance to make an extra $.30 on popular songs. For example, today's top three singles are $1.29. Apple is showcasing Rock and Classic R&B songs for $.69 on the music store's main page. Probably as an antidote to people complaing about the new $1.29 price point.

We're hoping a bargain bin button appears on the store so we can find our favorite artists' songs at $.69. Fingers crossed.

Apple in Negotiations to Expand iTunes Plus Library

Danny Estrada — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:26:11 -0600

According to two music industry sources, Apple is in discussions with three top recording companies about having them follow EMI's example and offerings DRM-free songs. The talks are still in the early phases and no deals have been finalized, but it has been said that one of the record companies is close to finalizing a deal. Sony, we are looking in your direction. The interwebs have been swirling with rumors that Sony will begin to offer music without the digital rights management software, but they are still just rumors.

Last year Steve Jobs wrote an open letter explain that it was the recording companies that forced Apple to put DRM restrictions to their music sold on iTunes. If all the DRM restrictions are removed, you will no longer have to listen to your music only on your iPod or iPhone, you could finally stream you music and place it on other music players.

Talks with at least two labels have been taking place over the past few months, which means very little, unless Apple can get them agree to give them the rights to sell unprotected music. Some of the recording companies on Apples hit list consist of Universal, Warner, and Sony. These companies have started selling DRM free music through Amazon, Myspace, and Napster. Universal is expected to announce licensing to Microsoft for the Zune, so where is the love for Apple?

DRM is becoming a tricky issue, and we can only wait to see what the results of Apple's talks with the recording companies are.

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Variable Pricing Hits iTunes

Apple in Negotiations to Expand iTunes Plus Library