No DRM on EMI's catalog in iTunes starting next month!

I am unbelievably happy to hear this. One record label, EMI, is actually going in a positive direction and offering DRM-free, high quality tracks on iTunes soon. If this catches on with other labels, I will become a much bigger customer of the iTunes music store, as one of my biggest gripes with them is the copy protection.

I have no problem paying for content. The problem is the DRM; if the file is encrypted and restricted, I feel like I don't truly *own* the music I purchased. What if Apple goes under one day and cannot authorize my computers anymore? I know it's unlikely, but it's just the principle of the thing. Also, the DRMed music will only play on iPods and Windows or OSX machines with iTunes. I can't play them on Linux or other music players at all.

I generally only buy a song on iTunes after my other avenues are exhausted, and then only after grumbling and slamming my fist into my desk in frustration. If this no DRM thing catches on with other labels, I'll likely be buying a LOT more music online, because it will truly be mine without the risk of losing it arbitrarily in the future.

Go EMI. Now all the RIAA has to do is stop suing kids and grandmas and maybe they'll regain some respect, hmm? It's nice to see a step in the right direction after all the gloom and doom news concerning DRM we've seen from the entertainment and computer industry as of late.