April 2, 2007 13:00

Apple and EMI strike digital rights deal on music locks

The Good, The Bad And The Queen mark deal with special set

Apple and EMI have joined forces to end digital locks on music made available online.

The announcement was made at the record label's headquarters in London this afternoon (April 2), where it was revealed that the two companies have struck a deal to end digital rights management (DRM) on their label's music.

EMI Group CEO Eric Nicoli and Apple CEO Steve Jobs hosted the press conference, where he confirmed that EMI Music is launching DRM-free superior quality downloads across its entire digital repertoire.

"This event is the beginning of a major shift in digital music allowing music consumers to play music on any digital platform that boasts superior sound quality," said Jobs.

It was confirmed that Apple's iTunes Store will be the first online music store to sell EMI's new downloads.

The move comes after Jobs recently called for an end to digital rights management on music, arguing that copyright protection has failed to tackle piracy.

"Our research found that consumers found it very frustrating that they didn't have interoperability and they often complained about sound quality," added Nicoli. "By addressing both these issues, we feel this new deal is a very positive step forwards."

To mark the deal The Good, The Bad & The Queen performed their singles 'Herculean' and 'Nature Springs'.

The band's self title album is the first available under the new DRM system and will remain the only one until the rest of EMI's online catalogue is upgraded.