188 posts tagged DRM-Free

The Future of DRM and Zune Thursday, May 15 2008 by Brandon LeBlanc - 0 comments There is a interesting article looking at how Apple is changing DRM and how DRM is changing overall over at The Guardian. What is interesting to me is the article neglects to look at what Microsoft is doing with Zune in regards to DRM.

Amazon.com took one step closer to our shared online music future Thursday by launching a rather cool MP3 clips widget that lets users build song lists and embed them on sites of their choice. I say rather cool, because it's a great idea that needs more work.

Dada Entertainment announced the addition of DRM-free MP3s to its product suite. The new offering complements the full range of mobile products that Dada already makes available to its members through mobile and Web storefronts, including ringtones, mobile wallpapers and games.

Sony BMG has taken its first step into DRM-free mobile music, with a partnership with Dada Entertainment. Itself a joint venture between the label and Dada USA. The service is subscription-based, with users paying $10 a month for 15 virtual tokens, which can be redeemed for full-tracks, ringtones, wallpapers and games.

We wrote last month about US retailer Wal-Mart dropping Warner Music Group and Sony BMG from its online store after shifting to a purely DRM-free model. Well, WMG is now back on board, having bitten the bullet and provided its catalogue in the MP3 format.

Steve Nowack decided to reinvent the music business after a chance meeting with a singer/songwriter in a Toronto bookstore. Another chance meeting – with Archbishop Desmond Tutu in Heathrow airport – led to the two of them announcing Nowack's new record label, SOS Records (located at WeLoveFreeMusic.com) on a stage in New York on Tuesday.

Speaking of music subscription plans, Magnatune - which offers high quality DRM-free music downloads and podsafe licensing - announced two new ways to enjoy their music this morning: Now available for the very first time, Magnatune Memberships allows you to hear Magnatune music without any announcements or interruptions between songs!

He’s done it again. I mentioned in my review of ‘Ghosts‘ by Nine Inch Nails that I thought Trent Reznor would have the brains to change the music industry but now I think he’s got the balls as well. Reznor has released another new NIN nails album this week entitled ‘The Slip‘.

In one of the more bizarre celebrity tie-ins in recent memory, Nobel Peace Prize winner archbishop Desmond Tutu helped launch a new music discovery service in New York on Tuesday morning. The label, SOS Records, will offer free music in the MP3 format, allowing users to function as it's A&R department by voting on which artists it should sign.

Just as quickly as we learn that any new tracks will soon require your wallet, Nine Inch Nails opens up with two free singles and then a complete album, all for free. Following up on the success of Ghosts, Trent Reznor and his crew offered up both as singles, both of which are available as free downloads.