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Microsoft to boldly go where Apple is already going...eventually

Microsoft changes tune on selling DRM-free songs

Exciting news on the digital music front. Microsoft plans to follow Apple's plan to sell DRM-free tracks from EMI to its extant army of Zune enthusiasts. Welcome to the social:

"The EMI announcement on Monday was not exclusive to Apple," said Katy Asher, a Microsoft spokeswoman on the Zune team, in an e-mail to the IDG News Service today. She said Microsoft has been talking with EMI and other record labels "for some time now" about offering unprotected music on its Zune players in an effort to meet the needs of its customers.

Way to innovate, Redmond. Once the period of EMI's exclusive deal with Apple has ended, this should make both Zune owners very happy.

[via: Boing Boing: Microsoft dropping DRM from Zune Music Store]

Merlin's picture

That's not accurate, Jason. As...

That's not accurate, Jason. As I understand it, this EMI and Apple deal is exclusive to iTunes; it is thus because Apple moved first. Full stop. Ain't a question of press release timing.

That said, from the perspective of the many rabid Zune enthusiasts, this is a very exciting press release about future plans that might happen at an indeterminate time. The social is still welcoming, warm, and brownish.

 
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