Napster bids adieu to DRM with MP3 announcement
Napster said Monday that it would start selling only MP3s from the second quarter on, effectively returning to its roots.
The move follows a general trend in the industry, where both labels and music services increasingly view DRM as more of as hindrance to expanding the marketplace.
From the time it relaunched in 2003, Napster has been using Microsoft's DRM technologies to protect music. However, the Redmond company abandoned its old PlaysForSure format when it launched the Zune last year, leading many to believe that its days as a viable DRM option were numbered.
CEO Chris Gorog says the time is right for such a switch, considering that the major labels have announced plans to offer their top acts in MP3. Additionally, the embracing of the format will help retailers compete with iTunes for space on consumer's iPods.