Filed under: iPod Family, iTS, Internet Tools, iTunes
Amazon launching DRM-free MP3 download service
Around this time last year I wrote that Amazon had scrapped ideas for a music download service to focus on their movie streaming service. Turns out that was wrong. Today Amazon has announced that they will, in fact, be launching their very own downloadable music store. The kicker? All downloads will be in MP3 format (so you can play 'em on your iPod) and there won't be any DRM. Amazon claims to have 12,000 labels signed up (I had no idea that 12,000 music labels existed). Pricing hasn't been discussed yet.Look for the store on Amazon.com later this year.
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Kevin Little said 2:39PM on 5-16-2007
Finally, legal drm free music has arrived. We can own our music again. I suppose in about 18 months we'll be able to buy everything on the market drm free, and then the revolution will be complete.
http://www.ebizmba.com
Reply
Matthew Sabin said 2:43PM on 5-16-2007
Glad to see it hit mainstream.
I've been getting DRM-free tracks from small publishers, and directly from band-sites, and I like the feeling I get shopping them, but sometimes I don't want to take the time to find them, and just want to buy an album or track.
Reply
Quix said 2:43PM on 5-16-2007
Great, now I can use Amazon's cumbersome website to buy songs for my iPod. Not. Wonder what bit rate they'll be offering (and which MP3 encoding engine).
Speaking of DRM-free, where is the DRM-free EMI music in iTunes already? Or when Jobs said "May," did he mean May 31st? :|
Reply
Josh said 3:37PM on 5-16-2007
I believe it's 12,000 songs not labels. Only one label. Guess who? EMI.
Reply
Doc said 3:15PM on 5-16-2007
i hope lots of people use this service only if they cut the shit and offer it at the .99 cent price tag per track that would send a message to steve that WE want to buy DRM-free music at the same price as the rest of itunes music. I don't care about the higher quality, give me the same just DRM-free. If itunes offered the same tracks at the same price .99 DRM-free what would you think would win?? thought so DRM-free is great i just hope more services follow suit..
Reply
Justin said 4:19PM on 5-16-2007
#5: "Amazon.com (NASDAQ:AMZN) today announced it will launch a digital music store later this year offering millions of songs in the DRM-free MP3 format from more than 12,000 record labels."
It is 12,000 labels.
As for the story, this is great news. It will be nice having some alternate non-subscription competition for iPod users.
Reply
j said 4:39PM on 5-16-2007
So is it all the MAJOR labels? If so, it's the end of iTunes.
Reply
G said 4:33PM on 5-16-2007
Interesting! They must be dealing with indie label aggregators like The Orchard or Tunecore. That would nab them a hefty load of labels right there. As an indie with a direct deal on iTunes (no aggregator), I haven't seen any opportunity to get on this bandwagon yet. But with all the other evil, Mac-hostile music retailers out there, I don't think I'd mind being on Amazon at all.
Reply
j said 4:42PM on 5-16-2007
It would help to read the headline:
Amazon.com to Launch DRM-Free MP3 Music Download Store with Songs and Albums from EMI Music and More Than 12,000 Other Labels
OK, so no other Majors. But a crapload of "Other Labels".
Reply
James Young said 6:58PM on 5-16-2007
This is great for consumers - from the healthy competition point of view. iTunes has the integration advantage, so I think that the one company which could be sweating it the most from this announcement is eMusic.com - because they've been the leading non-DRM MP3 store. Depending on just how deep the Amazon catalog is, and what kind of pricing structure it adopts, eMusic could see its subscription service really suffer. Shows you how much pull Amazon has in the market, since eMusic has been doing MP3 downloads for years and the only thing it has been lacking are big labels and per-song pricing.
Reply
mr haha said 7:17PM on 5-16-2007
12,000 labels no wonder the industry is tanking, too many labels too much crap!
Reply
Paul said 11:17PM on 5-16-2007
Each record company can own many labels. Usually by acquisition, but also by specialty, etc. Obviously they have a ton of small labels, but the writing is on the wall. Everyone else will have to follow (including iTunes). But I think it's pretty clear that iTunes will be going this route, it's just a matter of "when?"
iTunes still has an advantage, which is classic Apple. The simplicity and user experience are so much better with iTunes than other stores (well there are some that have downright copied iTunes, like Sony for example). This will enable them to keep up some momentum while they get their act together on the pricing. Maybe. Apple would be foolish not to get ahead of the curve here and use its market position to pressure the other big record companies. Once a deal is given to Amazon, I don't see how a label can hold back from doing the same deal with Apple. Apple also still has a great deal of leverage with the installed base--the iPod owners. So if they can match the price, they can stay ahead with their already established catalogue and the old Apple user experience magic.
Amazon on the other hand also has a big installed base (bigger and longer-standing than iTunes obviously). But these are also in many cases less tech savvy people who buy books and CDs (yeah, CDs and DVDs). They will hold on to those who don't completely feel comfortable with all digital, intangible downloads. I like the CDs, but they take up major space when your library is in the 1000+ range. However, it is the ultimate backup. Plus you get the bonus of liner notes, and sometimes other cool packaging goodies. But I don't even watch DVD extras, so ... guess I'm hoping Apple takes the hint.
Reply