Universal Sells MP3s and Rebels From Apple

Filed in archive Apple , Companies , DRM , Industry , Retail on August 15, 2007

Universal Music Group jumped past rival EMI and juggernaut Apple to sell digital music without DRM (Digital Rights Management) to consumers.

The files will be in open MP3 format that can be used on most computers and MP3 players, including iPods. This contrasts with Apple's EMI DRM-less files, which are in an open AAC format that is generally not found outside of iPods. The MP3 files will contain a fingerprint that digitally identifies the song. Unlike iTunes Plus the files will not contain personally identifiable data.

Universal artists in the program include 50 Cent, black eyed peas and Sting. Universal had previously announced that it is not selling all its music through Apple iTunes.

Universal's MP3 music will be sold through various online stores, including Wal-Mart, Best Buy, and Amazon, as well as artist and label-branded sites. The program also ties in Google's AdWords advertising.