Consumers show their love and appreciate to Amazon

In the six months that Amazon has been selling digital rights management (DRM)-free MP3s online, they have secured themselves a No 2 ranking for digital music sales, second only to Apple iTunes.

If numbers are correct, although Apple iTunes have over 6,000,000 songs in their catalogue, Amazon now have two and a half times the DRM-free catalogue that the iTunes store does - and that’s ever-increasing.

“So, does DRM-free music lead to higher piracy?”

Amazon’s Baltaxe says the best defense against piracy is a good offense. “Songs sold without DRM, at high quality, with album art, that’s the best way to get people to buy music instead of stealing it. DRM is a way to punish people who are buying,” he says. “Offering a great product at a great price is a way to combat piracy.”

With single MP3s only $US0.89 and album prices from $US4.99, let’s hope for the artists sake, that is correct…

Now, just like most dangled carrots, we just have to wait for Amazon in Australia! *sigh*

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Related: Yahoo News on Amazon results

“Musically - what do you think 2008 will bring?”

CNET have written a fantastic article on their predicted changes in 2008 for the music industry.

What do you think about:

• Apple giving in on price flexibility;
• Digital Rights Management (DRM) issues being resolved;
• Ad supported downloads; and
• Increased social networking and online marketing by artists?

With bands like Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails continually pathing new directions; and social networking by fans having more influence, there’s interesting times ahead!

Read: CNET: Music industry changes

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