On April 2, 2007, Apple CEO Steve Jobs along with EMI CEO Eric Nicoli announced DRM-free downloads at a new cost of $1.29 US-a fee that's $.30 more than the current DRM-formatted music. Shouldn't music be DRM-free anyway and not come at an extra cost? That's not what iTunes is saying or showing, as it still is going to sell DRM music for $.99 and DRM-free music for even more. Why put up with these over-priced songs, not only from iTunes but also from other on-line stores, such as Microsoft's MSN Music that sells over-priced music, and like iTunes, the music comes with DRM.
The new DRM-free songs on iTunes will be in MP3 and WMA formats and supposedly will be of "superior quality". That mention of superior quality, however, is merely to cover up the extra price and save iTunes from the UK's fair trading pressure of infringement on European trading regulations. Why should you have to deal with a company that makes you pay more for freedom? Freedom is not something you should have to pay for. Why pay for freedom when you can choose an on-line site that gives you options the other record-label companies don't offer?
Such a site exists, and it gives you many choices, including how you want to receive an album, such as a downloaded DRM-free format (MP3, WAV, OGG, FLAC or AAC) or a purchased CD that will be mailed to you, all without the extra "freedom fee". This site also lets you choose to pay what you think a particular album is worth, and it gives you the option of re-downloading a purchased song if you lose it due to a faulty hard drive or misplaced file. This site also gives you the option to back up music on another device, without restrictions on the number of devices on which you can store your music-something iTunes does not allow, and it's something I know I want to be able to do with music I purchase. And, the best thing of all, this site allows you the freedom to share an album and give the gift of music to your friends. If you buy an album, you can share it with up to three friends (based on the honor system).
What if I tell you it's all possible with Magnatune-the company that says "We Are Not Evil", and it's just that, not evil. Magnatune allows customers to do everything mentioned above-plus more. It's not only an independent, on-line record label, but also a company that wants to change how music is distributed and open up possibilities for less-known bands and artists. The artists and bands on Magnatune are not highly rated with albums or songs in the Top 100, but they still are great to listen to and download. All Magnatune needs is only one top artist to switch over to put it on the map as a mainstream label company. Magnatune takes big strides to label great-sounding artists, and one out of 300 artists gets signed.
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