Vodafone claims it will be the first global mobile network operator to offer music free of DRM when it makes the switch to a large proportion of its Vodafone Music Store catalog for mobile and PC by the summer, according to a Billboard report.
While Germany, Italy, the UK, Spain and New Zealand will be the first territories to roll out DRM-free services, Australia, the Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, India, Ireland, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, South Africa and Turkey will follow "in due course," along with services on Vodafone's partner networks in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Iceland, Slovenia and Switzerland. Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment and EMI Music have all agreed to the format conversion. The remaining major label, Warner Music, and all independent labels on Vodafone's catalog are yet to confirm participation. Tracks from these labels will remain available on the site in the original DRM format. Tracks can be transferred to any digital device owned by the customer, including mobile phones and PCs. As well as this, Vodafone is allowing customers to upgrade previously purchased tracks to be DRM-free at no extra charge within the existing download allowance. The Vodafone Music Store, powered by RealNetworks, is available exclusively to Vodafone customers. It has over a million tracks in its catalog, available to purchase as single tracks or album bundles. All purchases can be dual-delivered to a mobile and PC free of charge. http://www.radioandmusic.com/content/editorial/news/vodafone-steps-drm-free-mobile-music-initiative Add more friends to your messenger and enjoy! Go to http://messenger.yahoo.com/invite/ ---[Start Commercial]--------------------- Order your WRTH 2009: http://www.hard-core-dx.com/redirect2.php?id=wrth2009 ---[End Commercial]----------------------- ________________________________________ Hard-Core-DX mailing list Hard-Core-DX@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/hard-core-dx http://www.hard-core-dx.com/ _______________________________________________ THE INFORMATION IN THIS ARTICLE IS FREE. It may be copied, distributed and/or modified under the conditions set down in the Design Science License published by Michael Stutz at http://www.gnu.org/licenses/dsl.html
