Does this mean that we’re soon to see the end of DRM before the end of 2008? It certainly isn’t outside the realm of possibility. Back in April of this year, EMI was the first label to offer DRM-free music, and eventually it became available on iTunes.
According to the report from ElectronLibre, the move is to coincide with a wider marketing push to save the major labels:
Running from the 26th through to January 6th, the formal debut of Macworld Expo in San Francisco, the campaign would tie into local radio stations and news outlets and would make a point of offering big-name content. Lily Allen and James Blunt songs will supposedly be offered in addition to an episode of Spongebob Squarepants and other videos.
Although Apple gives away content on a regular basis, a daily giveaway would be rare for the company, which usually limits offerings to once a week and to less high-profile content. The timing nonetheless implies a campaign meant to soften the drop in downloads after Christmas.
We see the rumor as plausible, since the industry-wide leaning has been towards DRM – the major labels are desperate to stay alive. This years end-fiscal-year reports will show a number of them on the brink of bankruptcy with the realization that their decade long war on their customers is a failing proposition.