iTunes To Drop DRM, Change Pricing

At the MacWorld conference yesterday (Jan. 6) in San Francisco, Apple Inc. confirmed reports that all four majors were now onboard to deliver DRM-free music through the iTunes Music Store.

The company will also embrace a variable pricing model starting in April; the price points are listed as 69 cents, 99 cents and $1.29. The company said more songs will be priced at 69 cents than $1.29.

iTunes began offering 8 million of its 10 million songs in a DRM-free format, today, and the remaining two million songs offered will be offered DRM-free by the end of March.

Additionally, iPhone 3G users can now preview and purchase music from iTunes over the phone's built-in 3G network.

Thanks to Billboard.com for the story.

Comments

[Mootallica]

And this is where Apple has realised the potential to make money by forcing consumers to pay more for the same product.

Ugh, Capitalism.

I don't suppose any of this "increase in price" is going to the artist, no?

[Dacons13]

so the itax is still there?
and theres goin to be songs priced $1.29?
wtf..
this is the reason i got limewire.

[Burney123456789]

it's not apple that choose the price of the song, its the record companies. any idea what the uk prcies will be?

[travislausch]

Mootallica wrote:

And this is where Apple has realised the potential to make money by forcing consumers to pay more for the same product.

That we can copy freely to other devices and at a significantly lower price?

Okay, I can see where you'd think that of someone who purchases a lot of music from iTunes, but for someone like myself who's maybe only ever purchased two albums from there because DRM protection and prices kept him from purchasing more often, this is great news. Apple proves once again that they get it.

[getts182]

Mootallica wrote:

And this is where Apple has realised the potential to make money by forcing consumers to pay more for the same product.

Ugh, Capitalism.

I don't suppose any of this "increase in price" is going to the artist, no?

Dacons13 wrote:

so the itax is still there?
and theres goin to be songs priced $1.29?
wtf..
this is the reason i got limewire.

Read the article:

The company will also embrace a variable pricing model starting in April; the price points are listed as 69 cents, 99 cents and $1.29. The company said more songs will be priced at 69 cents than $1.29.

Clearly, some song prices will rise to $1.29, but it sounds like the majority will be reduced to $0.69, and some will stay at the current price of $0.99.

[Wakisazhi]

UG needs to change up the article description BIG TIME, it says: "iTunes will offer all DRM-free music, as well as change the pricing, from 69 cents to $1.29 a song."

It should've been: "iTunes will offer all DRM-free music, as well as change the pricing with prices ranging from 69 cents to $1.29 a song.

I'm pretty sure some people will get way overly worked up after reading that description and will heedlessly flame the article without reading the actual article as seen earlier.

[Gunpowder]

This is actually really good news

Especially since I got an iTunes gift card for Christmas, and my first thought was "well, when will I ever need to use this?" :p

[kranoscorp]

HELL YES!!

Cheaper music AND DRM FREE?!?!

[JRowe3388]

How about this for a price: Free.

[Cyggy]

JRowe3388 wrote:

How about this for a price: Free.

No. Do you not care at all about the artists?

[Bgoodman]

hes probably one of those hippies from the old festivals that didnt wanna pay to get in.....check out the interview with pete townsend on the who live at the isle of wight festival....it doesn't matter how rich you think these artists are its there job....

[John74]

Or if you'd get a zune, you could get all the music you want for a monthly fee, and get the DRM free tracks, a feature they added, oh, I dont know, a year ago?
Isnt it a bit ridiculous to pay more for something you already bought, just so you get what you should have gotten the first time you bought it? Apple ought to think more about the people that are buying it, not the money thats going into their pocket.

[flyingjo21]

Good news for me, I'll be buying more from iTunes once the DRM's gone. I don't get why people think it's OK to steal songs from limewire etc. If you like the song support the band!

[drummerob402]

69¢! and we're paying 79p in the UK, apple have seriously lost it, first FireWire, now this! They take something like 80% commission from what they charge the consumer, that's why most other music download sites charge less. Also while i'm ranting, the quality on iTunes is shocking. The bit rate is still mostly at 128kbps a fuçkin joke!

[pantera456]

i don't think you guys understand. The songs that are going to be 1.29 are drp free. A lot can already be bought drp free for 1.29. Those are the itunes plus songs. I'm sure youll still be able to get them at normal price.

[pantera456]

and I kind of look like a dumbass now, but i meant drm not drp.

[Annoyance134]

Cyggy wrote:

[quote] JRowe3388 wrote:

How about this for a price: Free.

No. Do you not care at all about the artists?[/quote]

First of all, bands make barely any money off of the actual albums. their primary source of income is touring and promotions/endorsements for various merchandise. Not their actual album. If you really want to support the band, join the street team or go to a concert. The albums are just ways of getting their music out to the public and known, not a way for the artist to make a whole lot of money.

[Toadstool5]

What the hell is DRM?

[Dacons13]

Clearly, some song prices will rise to $1.29, but it sounds like the majority will be reduced to $0.69, and some will stay at the current price of $0.99.[/quote]

sorry. got confused. thanks

[jakewynnrocks]

Toadstool5 wrote:

What the hell is DRM?

this. im probly just stoopid, but i must know what this is.

[JRowe3388]

Cyggy wrote:

JRowe3388 wrote:

How about this for a price: Free.

No. Do you not care at all about the artists?

I buy merch and go to shows when I can. Music is art and if you set out from the beginning to make some money, then you're doing it wrong.

[josh.more]

apple have been forced to up the royalty rate to the artist i believe, it was 7.5 percent but its gone up i think cos apple wanted to lower it or they would shut down itunes but they mustve reached an agreement

[TisPyon]

Cyggy wrote:

JRowe3388 wrote:

How about this for a price: Free.

No. Do you not care at all about the artists?

most artists dont care they dont make much off of record sales.. thats why a lot of artists endorse "illegal" downloading as long as you come out to a show