Vodafone to offer DRM-free music
Mobile operator signs new deals with major labels to offer subscribers DRM-free songs via their mobile phone or PC.
Vodafone on Wednesday announced new deals with major record companies to offer digital rights management-free music to subscribers, irrespective of device.
The U.K.-based operator has signed agreements with Universal Music, Sony Music Entertainment and EMI Music to offer over a million DRM-free songs across its markets.
Vodafone said the agreements are the first of their kind insofar as they enable dual-delivery of music to separate devices, meaning users don't need to side-load songs, or synchronise PCs and mobile phones.
"[Customers] will now have the freedom to download tracks from their favourite artists without any device restrictions allowing them to experience their music however they want it, wherever they are," commented Pieter Knook, Vodafone's Internet services director, in a statement.
Subscribers who have previously bought music from Universal, Sony or EMI with DRM enabled will be able to upgrade their files to DRM-free MP3s at no extra charge.
"Vodafone has been a business partner of Universal Music for six years," said Rob Wells, senior vice president, digital, at Universal Music Group.
"This new deal shows how serious Vodafone is about music, and opens up new opportunities for both companies – but more importantly, for consumers and artists," he said.
Recent media reports have also linked Nokia with a similar move for its music store.
A spokesman for the handset maker told Channel News Asia that DRM-free music is in Nokia's "roadmap for the future integration of Comes With Music".
Meanwhile Vodafone said it will begin selling DRM-free music in the U.K. Germany, Italy, Spain and New Zealand by the summer.
It said a wider European rollout will follow in due course, as well as launches in Australia, South Africa and India.
source
Vodafone on Wednesday announced new deals with major record companies to offer digital rights management-free music to subscribers, irrespective of device.
The U.K.-based operator has signed agreements with Universal Music, Sony Music Entertainment and EMI Music to offer over a million DRM-free songs across its markets.
Vodafone said the agreements are the first of their kind insofar as they enable dual-delivery of music to separate devices, meaning users don't need to side-load songs, or synchronise PCs and mobile phones.
"[Customers] will now have the freedom to download tracks from their favourite artists without any device restrictions allowing them to experience their music however they want it, wherever they are," commented Pieter Knook, Vodafone's Internet services director, in a statement.
Subscribers who have previously bought music from Universal, Sony or EMI with DRM enabled will be able to upgrade their files to DRM-free MP3s at no extra charge.
"Vodafone has been a business partner of Universal Music for six years," said Rob Wells, senior vice president, digital, at Universal Music Group.
"This new deal shows how serious Vodafone is about music, and opens up new opportunities for both companies – but more importantly, for consumers and artists," he said.
Recent media reports have also linked Nokia with a similar move for its music store.
A spokesman for the handset maker told Channel News Asia that DRM-free music is in Nokia's "roadmap for the future integration of Comes With Music".
Meanwhile Vodafone said it will begin selling DRM-free music in the U.K. Germany, Italy, Spain and New Zealand by the summer.
It said a wider European rollout will follow in due course, as well as launches in Australia, South Africa and India.
source
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