p2pnet news | DRM:- Bell Canada is the latest mega-company to admit efforts to foist DRM (Digital Restrictions Management) consumer control onto customers are a waste of time.

Its Sympatico/MSN Music Store is now peddling digital music sans ‘copy protection’ —- but tracks will be sold at the usual rip-off $1, rising to $1.30 which, given the way the Canadian dollar is rising, means Bell downloads, for those foolish enough to want them, will cost more here than over the border.

Bell will, “now begin offering tracks from EMI as well as several independent labels in MP3 format, allowing much of its previously Windows Media-only catalog to work with nearly any computer or portable device – including the iPod and virtually all music phones, Bell noted,” says Electronista, adding:

“Pricing for the unrestricted tracks is different than with offerings from iTunes as well as Amazon MP3, Wal-Mart, and other stores, Bell notes. Although albums sell at the same price in MP3 form as Windows Media versions, individual songs vary between 99 cents and $1.29 Canadian each depending on label agreements. Windows Media music would continue to be sold side-by-side with the unprotected formats, according to the store operator. The changes to the store have already taken effect.

“Sympatico/MSN is the second major label-independent store in Canada to have embraced unprotected music and follows Puretracks, which also began offering MP3s through an update in early August. Puretracks embraced a more consistent iTunes-like model and opened sales with a consistent $1.29 Canadian price per song.”

Slashdot it!

Also See:
Electronista – Bell next to launch DRM-free music sales, October 2, 2007

 

 

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 3rd, 2007 at 12:58 pm and is filed under Music. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

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