Idolator
EMI made a big stink about dropping DRM from its online offerings, but today Warner Music Group quietly started offering DRM-free files of its own through the site AnywhereCD, which sells full MP3 albums as well as MP3-album/CD bundles. Billboard.biz reports that the site, which was launched by the founder of MP3.com, only offers full albums—not single tracks—and that the MP3s users buy are ripped at 192 Kbps. Whether or not users will flock to the site remains to be seen, but this is definitely a curious move for Warner, given that WMG chairman Edgar Bronfman has been vocally pro-DRM in the past. (Maybe someone thought he wouldn't notice?)
Warner Music Group Ditches DRM? [Billboard.biz, via Coolfer]
Comments
Wow there is tons of awesome out of print catalog Metal records on there for 12 or 15 bucks (mp3 only).
Knock that down to $3 or $4 a record and I'll go legit for those early Savatage records!
Idea is perfect, pricing is completely insane. I hope Warner isn't just using this to force failure of DRM free music.
Notice that the Billboard.biz article has been updated with the following text:
" 'AnywhereCD is selling Warner Music Group content in a manner that flagrantly violates the terms of our agreement,' says a WMG representative. 'Accordingly, we have sent them a notice of termination and they are required to immediately remove all of our content from their site.' "
Ah, well. It was fun while it lasted...
Bleep.com sells tracks by 679-signed artists, like Kano and King Creosote. Aren't they a subsidary of Warner ?
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