Endless Paradigm

EMI, Apple 'deal on music locks'
EMI is to hold a media event on Monday with Apple boss Steve Jobs as special guest, prompting speculation of a deal over digital locks on music.

There was initial speculation that Beatles songs were to finally go online on download service iTunes.

In an invite to media sent out on Sunday, EMI said it was announcing an "exciting new digital offering".

Last week at a mobile industry conference, EMI chief executive Eric Nicoli praised Apple.

A spokesman for EMI would not comment on the subject of the press conference.

'Significant amounts'

The Wall Street Journal reported that EMI plans to sell "significant amounts" of music without digital rights management (DRM).

Earlier this year Apple boss Steve Jobs called for an end to DRM on music.

He said the abolition of copy protection software known would be good for consumers and music suppliers.

Copyright protection had failed to tackle piracy, he argued.

"This is clearly the best alternative for consumers and Apple would embrace it in a heartbeat," he said in a statement on Apple's website.

EMI tested the waters earlier this year, offering a single by Norah Jones for sale without DRM.

Supporters of DRM say the locks protects the rights of artists and stop wholesale copying of music - or other content such as films.

But critics argue that DRM places unfair restrictions on how consumers can use music they have bought lawfully.

- Source: [BBC]

Finally!  Those companies are starting to realise, CONSUMERS!

Meh, 320kbps MP3s off torrents are still way better quality than iTunes' 128kbps AAC files.

haha, but its a step in the right direction.