At the MacWorld 2009, Apple has announced that it will offer copy-protection free tracks from iTunes. About eight million songs from major labels will be DRM-free, and Apple plans on making up to ten million songs DRM-free by the end of the first quarter. Also, Apple has set up a new price structure for songs - $0.69, $0.99, and $1.29 - effective from April 1st this year. Users can now purchase or download songs over 3G (iPhone) and WiFi networks (iPhone and iPod Touch).

 

Apple's senior vice president Phil Schiller announced that users will now get DRM-free and high-quality (256kbps) AAC encoded tracks from the iTunes Plus service. All major music labels like Universal Music Group, Sony BMG, Warner Music Group, EMI, and many others will offer up to 8 million DRM-free songs at 256kbps AAC encoding quality. DRM-free iTunes tracks means that the tracks can be used with any player on any computer, provided the portable media player supports playback of that format.

 

iTunes DRMed track libraries purchased previously are upgradeable to iTunes Plus format at 30 cents per song or 30 percent of the album price. iPhone 3G users can now purchase or download songs from iTunes over their 3G network, previously limited to the WiFi network. We'll have to wait a while to know about prices on Indian shores.

Finally, the reports about Sony planning to offer DRM-free tracks via iTunes Plus has turned out to be true. Say adios to iTunes FairPlay DRM.