In the News - Apple

Apple announces removal of copy protection from iTunes

Yesterday, Apple announced that it had reached agreement with music labels to remove copy protection from music tracks bought from its online music store, iTunes. This means that customers will be able to play most iTunes tracks on any mp3 device, whereas previously they could only play them on Apple hardware, such as iPods. This will apply to new tracks purchased. If you want to remove copy protection on existing tracks which have become copy-free, you will be able to it via iTunes for 20p per track.

In return for this, Apple has agreed to a 3-tier pricing system, which will allow music labels to charge a higher price for new tracks and less for back catalogues. From April, iTunes tracks will be charged at either 59p, 79p or 99p, rather than the current flat fee of 79p a track.

In December 2008, Amazon launched an online music store to rival to iTunes, whose tracks can also be played on any device (reported in 'In the News' on 4 Dec 08).

(Sources: Times Online

Posted by Plebble Admin at 10:27 on 07-Jan-2009