EMI offers free-use downloads

The DRM (Digital Rights Management) copyright protection system used on most mp3 downloads could be in jeopardy after EMI started offering more copyright free music downloads yesterday.

The record label is allowing people to download DRM-free versions of new tracks from Norah Jones and Christian rockers, Relient K. The experiment will help gauge the demand for mp3s that can be played on any device. If high enough, more major labels are going to start offering DRM-free tracks.

This is major turnaround and could signal the beginning of the end for the DRM system. Without DRM, mp3 tracks can be played on any kind of mp3 player, including Apple iPods. They can also be copied by owners as many times as they want.

Removing DRM would allow record labels to target the massive iPod user base directly without having to use the iTunes download system. Right now, DRM-copyrighted tracks are restricted to playback on certain types of players. Those downloaded through iTunes will not play on anything but iPods.

Norah Jones' "Thinking About You" and Relient K's "Must Have Done Something Right", from their forthcoming albums, have gone on sale for $0.99 each at Yahoo.