More DRM chatter following Steve Jobs previously reported essay on the topic earlier this week. Much of the chatter has centered on rumours that EMI are now seriously considering releasing some of their catalogue in non-protected MP3 formats, which is something I've been hearing for a while (which either means there's some truth to the story, or people are regurgitating old rumours this week because of the Jobs story).
As previously reported until our heads exploded with the tedium of it all, the major record companies still insist that their music is only sold digitally when digital files come with DRM technology embedded, which controls how consumers can share and transfer the digital music they buy. Such technology, they argue, prevents piracy. The problem is that different technology firms use different DRMs, meaning that the kind of file format that a consumer buys music in will affect which kind of digital music players it can be played on - in particular, iTunes music will only play on the iPod, and the only DRMed music that will play on the iPod is that sold by iTunes. This makes the whole digital music space confusing and frustrating for consumers - and arguably makes those consumers rely on ripping tracks from CDs or downloading them for illegal sources instead. The solution to this either for technology firms to adopt DRM standards or open up their DRMs to rivals, or for major record companies to just stop using DRM on the basis it doesn't actually stop piracy anyway (and arguably encourages it), or, probably, both. Hey, I just explained it all again. Did your head explode? If so, we're not accepting any liability.
Anyway, most of the majors seem to continue to support the use of DRM, despite an increasing number of major label employees privately expressing the opinion that they shouldn't. But word has it EMI may break away from the other majors and start selling MP3s of its music. Various different sources are saying slightly different things to this effect. One rumour is that EMI is trying to persuade various digital retailers to make big upfront payments in order to sell their music as MP3s. Others say that EMI are talking to Snocap about being involved in the launch of the previously mentioned MP3 download platform on MySpace.
An EMI spokesman told Reuters she couldn't comment on specific rumours, but did note that the major had done some pilot projects involving the distribution of MP3s with flagship artists like Norah Jones and Lily Allen, adding: "The results have been positive... lack of operability between a proliferating range of devices and hardware and the digital platforms for delivering music is more and more becoming an issue for music consumers and EMI has been engaging with our various partners to find a solution".