Despite the major concerns the music industry had with releasing music free of DRM measures, the use of DRM free music has finally proven to be enough of a success for Sony BMG, the last remaining major label to finally license out its entire music library in the unprotected MP3 format, starting with Amazon's MP3 download shop by the end of the month.  Up until now, getting the major labels off DRM has been a bit like a getting a group of heavy smokers to give up the habit!

Sony BMG's move means that by the end of the month, Amazon will have a serious competitive advantage over iTunes by offering music from the four major labels and many independent labels, with full compatibility with Apple's iPod series, Microsoft's Zune series and any other MP3 player, regardless of DRM support.  Most of Apple's iTunes music will only play back on its iPod series due to its FairPlay DRM limitations.  

So far, the music industries have been involved in a gathering effort to get their own back on Apple, mainly due to Apple insisting on sticking with its 99 cent track pricing policy and its major dominant share.  Amazon on the other hand does not have a single fixed price policy and being a well known company, the record companies have decided to use Amazon to help cut into iTunes' major market share.  At this time, EMI, which was the first to license out its music in the unprotected DRM format, is the only major label that has made its music available without DRM through iTunes. 

On the other hand, even if Apple loses some of its iTunes customers to Amazon, Apple will still make plenty from its iPods, since an iPod will play MP3s bought from Amazon.  Those who already have an iPod will also be able to take advantage of Amazon, while still being able to play their existing music bought from iTunes. 

It is worth noting that Sony BMG’s move does not mark the end of the DRM pest for music.  Those who already purchased music with DRM will still need to put up with its limitations unless they are willing to suffer a reduction in sound quality by burning their collection to CD to rip back in the MP3 or at a cost of purchasing their music again in the MP3 format.  Those who use subscription services where the music expires once the subscription is stopped will also still need to put up with the tougher DRM restrictions. 

In my opinion, it is about time that all the major labels have finally realised that selling music in the DRM free format is not a bad thing after all.  It will be interesting to see how well Amazon's MP3 download service gets on once Sony BMG’s music becomes available through it.  It’s only main drawback at present is that it is currently only available to US customers, unlike iTunes which is available in many countries around the world.  One other improvement I would like to see Amazon (and others) introduce would be the ability to purchase music as downloads in a lossless codec (such as FLAC) for true CD quality audio.  However, getting away from the dreaded DRM is at least a major start, not to mention a major victory for consumers.