Warner Goes DRM-Free In Europe
By Christopher Nickson
March 05, 2008
The major label signs a deal with 7Digital to sell DRM-free tracks across Europe.
You might recall that it was a major event when record label Warner Music signed a deal that let Amazon carry its tracks in mp3 format, without digital rights management (DRM). That only covered the US, but now the label has inked an agreement with download service 7Digital that will allow customers in several European countries to buy the music DRM-free in mp3 format.
The countries covered under the new deal are the UK, Ireland, Spain, France and Germany. The mp3 format is playable on virtually all devices, including the iPod.
7Digital is certainly making waves in the European marketplace. According to the BBC, it also offers DRM-free music from EMI and is in discussions with both Sony BMG and Universal, the two other major labels, about selling their music DRM-free.
The international market leader, iTunes, does offer some DRM-free music through its iTunes Plus service, but currently that only applies to tracks from EMI, and those cost a premium price.