Apple Unveil DRM-Free iTunes Music Store

Apple are to begin selling music via their iTunes store which is free of copyright protection.

At present, iTunes only offers DRM-free music by artists signed to EMI, as well as a handful of independent record labels.

However, the company announced yesterday (January 6th) that it had agreed a similar deal with the three remaining major labels - Sony BMG, Warner Music and Universal.

"Over the last six years songs have been $0.99 [79p]. Music companies want more flexibility. Starting today, 8 million songs will be DRM free and by the end of this quarter, all 10 million songs will be DRM free," Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, Phil Shiller, said.

Schiller also unveiled a new three-tier pricing structure for downloads, which will vary depending on the popularity and age of the release. The prices per track will be 59p, 79p or 99p.

Yesterday's announcement at the Macworld conference in San Francisco brings Apple into line with most existing digital download stores.

Music that is free of copyright protection can be played on a wide range of MP3 devices, including the iPod.

Schiller also unveiled a new 17” Macbook Pro during his keynote speech, as well as two new software packages – iWork 09' and iLife 09'.