Play.com
Play.com is launching a DRM-free download service in the UK
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Play.com offers DRM-free downloads

UK e-tailer takes on iTunes and Amazon

Guy Dixon, vnunet.com 14 Feb 2008
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Online retailer Play.com is claiming a UK first with a music download service that offers tracks unfettered by digital rights management (DRM).

The service is open to users of iPods and other MP3 devices without the need for Apple's iTunes.

Play.com claims to have worked closely with EMI and " many large independent labels and distributors including Vital Music and Pinnacle" to become the first major UK retailer to offer songs in the DRM-free MP3 format.

James Suddaby, founder and editor of ILikeMusic.com, said: "It is great news that someone is challenging iTunes in the UK.

"It is only a matter of time before the other record labels are persuaded to go DRM-free in the UK, like we have seen in the US. DRM-free gives music fans choice and that can only be a good thing."

Play.com pricing starts at 65p per track (compared to 79p on iTunes) for top 100 tracks. Albums start from £4.95.

The online retailer claims to be hammering out DRM-free deals with other labels, adding to the current roster of artists over the next six months.

Play.com's move comes hard on the heels of Amazon's similar DRM-free offering in the US, where the company already sells DRM-free music from the big four music companies and around 33,000 independent labels.

A worldwide rollout for Amazon's do wnload service is planned for later in the year.

See also:

Reciprocal deal sees LoveFilm acquire Amazon DVD rental service  04 Feb 2008
Online music service calls in expert help  01 Feb 2008
Major labels deny supporting free P2P venture  29 Jan 2008
Last.fmFree access to the 'best jukebox in the world'  24 Jan 2008
Old music business model 'dead and gone'  17 Jan 2008
$1bn worth of tunes up for grabs  15 Jan 2008
Fourth major music label signs on to Amazon MP3  11 Jan 2008
Company claims world's largest selection of DRM-free downloads  25 Sep 2007

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Tags: Ecommerce, Security

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