Amazon To Launch DRM Free Music Store

The days of DRM protected music are definitely numbered. Amazon.com is announcing that they will launch a DRM free music store later this year which will include thousands of songs in MP3 format. As such these files will be playable on virtually any music player.

“Our MP3-only strategy means all the music that customers buy on Amazon is always DRM-free and plays on any device,” said Jeff Bezos, Amazon.com founder and CEO. “We’re excited to have EMI joining us in this effort and look forward to offering our customers MP3s from amazing artists like Coldplay, Norah Jones and Joss Stone.”

Some pundits have started to suggest this is an Apple I-Tunes killer but what is more likely is for Apple to renegotiate their music deals (where applicable) and come out with a similar service before Amazon.com launches their site. Since Apple are very much the incumbent music download and hardware vendor they have a distinct advantage. (Not to mention the potential impact of the Apple I-Phone). It should be pointed out that sales at the Apple store have never been huge but a change in the DRM rules could be the catalyst that Apple and Steve Jobs have been looking for.

No word on pricing or specific launch dates from Amazon.com

Press Release