Amazon to Sell DRM-Free MP3s?

Right now this is just conjecture, but it's pretty hefty conjecture: Amazon may enter the music download market at the end of the first quarter of 2007. That's not the big news, though: The big news is the rumor that it would be selling MP3s without any DRM attached.

Frankly, that would be a first, assuming Amazon sells music from major, RIAA-represented labels. eMusic sells DRM-free music, but only from independent labels. Apple, Microsoft, Napster, and everyone else in this crowded marketplace all have DRM on their downloads—none of which are compatible with each other.

For many users, abhorrent DRM is the last step preventing them from dumping CDs and going online for all their music. Sure, it's relatively easy to strip DRM from tracks, but it takes time and usually costs money in the form of burning a CD and then reripping it to your computer. Frankly, it's just a big pain. So, for what it's worth: Amazon, if you really pull this off and sell your songs for a reasonable price (I'll even pay an extra nickel for them), I'll buy all my music from you (though people have also been speculating that Amazon will charge a variable price for music instead of a flat 99 cents, etc.).

Then again, this DRM-free business may all be hokum and rank rumor. After all, Amazon has what could charitably be described as a horrible record when it comes to DRM and digital media. Case in point: Its disastrously received Unbox video download service, which will certainly appear on many "Worst Tech of 2006" lists alongside the Microsoft Zune.

Did Amazon learn a lesson with movies? Will it clean up its act for music? Stay tuned to find out and let Amazon know you want your MP3s (DRM-free) by posting a comment in support!