The Canadian online music store Puretracks Inc. is stripping the DRM from 50,000 songs of its music catalogue which will allow these tracks to be played on any MP3 player including the iPod and free consumers from other restrictions that DRM would otherwise enforce.  These tracks consist of well known independent labels including Avril Lavigne, Barenaked Ladies, Sara McLachlan and various smaller labels also.  Many of these already offer music in the MP3 format through eMusic, which is a subscription based legal music download service that only offers music in the DRM free format and also the second most popular after iTunes in the US.

While more titles on Puretracks will be made available DRM free as more deals are made, unfortunately DRM locks will remain on music from Universal, Sony-BMG, EMI and Warner who remain committed to using DRM, claiming these are necessary to prohibit unlimited copying and to fairly compensate artists and those who own the copyright.  However, for now this move is another sign that the music industry is starting to realise that music lovers who buy music online should not be treated as criminals also.

While offering music in the unrestricted MP3 format has the side effect in allowing consumers to freely copy and distribute their music, most independent and small labels find this as another way to promote their music and make them well known.  This would be useful for upcoming music sales, merchandise or even concerts. 

So far, Yahoo and Apple's CEO Steve Jobs are calling for the end of DRM, with Yahoo's general manager Dave Goldberg expecting most of Yahoo's music catalogue to be made available free of DRM by the end of the year.  EMI has also trialled the sales of DRM-free MP3 tracks, with very positive results.  

Thanks to Waethorn for letting us know about this news, who added:  This looks very interesting. Hopefully the pressure will get to the other major studios offering songs on Puretracks.