NME News

UK download market hots up

Play.com and iTunes go head-to-head in DRM battle

February 14, 2008 | 1 Comments
Various Artists news RSS feed
More Various Artists news, reviews, videos and tour dates
Post this on Twitter or Follow NME

Online retailer Play.com is going head-to-head with iTunes in the download music market.

The UK shop is set to offer Digital Rights Management (DRM)-free downloads on its online music store PlayDigital from today (February 14).

This means the new shop will be taking on Apple’s outlet, which also offers DRM-free downloads, though they cost more than the shop's standard downloads.

PlayDigital has worked with EMI and independent labels and distributors, including (PIAS) Digital, to sell DRM-free music as standard.

The Shockwaves NME Awards 2008 are coming soon – and it’s time to have your say. Vote now by heading to NME.COM/awardsvote and you could win VIP tickets to the ceremony, which takes place in London on February 28.

Share this story:
Del.icio.us
Digg
Furl
Reddit
Bebo

Follow NME on Twitter

More News:

Are Kate Nash and Nicky Wire your indie Valentines?

PREVIOUS Are Kate Nash and Nicky Wire your indie...

NEXT Rare Clash footage set for release

Buy NME Magazine right now

Subscribe here or get this week's issue delivered to your door

Comments (1)

Add a comment

www.we7.com

Feb 18, 2008

Its going to be an interesting year for legal on-line music. I suspect this will be the first of many DRM free stores opening this year. They will all have a clear advantage over iTunes unless apple can also do the DRM free deals. The real competition for play.com will come from Amazon when they arrive in Europe. It will also be interesting to watch ad funded downloads services such as our own (we7.com) gain traction this year.