Vodafone to Drop DRM Copy-Protection from Music Store

Vodafone is to drop copying protection, known as DRM from its music stores after signing deals with Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment and EMI Music. The new deals are the first of their kind for a mobile network operator enabling dual delivery of DRM free music to a wide range of mobile phones and PCs with no need to sideload or synchronize.

The Vodafone Music store, powered by RealNetworks carries over 1 million different music tracks.

In addition, those customers who have already bought tracks or albums from Universal Music, Sony Music or EMI in WMA format (with DRM) will be able to upgrade them to MP3 at no extra charge within the existing download allowance. DRM free music will be available through a number of Vodafone countries by the summer and will complement Vodafone's current music offerings.

"Music is central to many of our customers' lives," said Pieter Knook, Vodafone Internet Services Director. "By Vodafone pioneering DRM free on mobile and offering MP3s on PC, they will now have the freedom to download tracks from their favourite artists without any device restrictions allowing them to experience their music however they want it, wherever they are."

Noticeable for being missing from the party is Warner Music which Nokia's Comes With Music already has signed up as a partner.

DRM free services will be available in Germany, Italy, UK, Spain and New Zealand by the summer. Australia, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, India, Ireland, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, South Africa, Turkey will follow in due course, along with services provided via Vodafone's partner networks in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Iceland, Slovenia and Switzerland.

Posted to the site on 11th March 2009