The rumour is that Amazon is negotiating with music labels to offer MP3 downloads without DRM protection. If Amazon can make this happen, it will be a fantastic victory for consumers. DRM is the only reason I don’t buy music online. I just got a Zune and so far I love it but I’ll be darned if I’m gonna buy music in the Zune Marketplace knowing it’s not going to work on my other MP3 player. Same goes for the iTunes Store. I’m just not interested in being locked in like that.
If Amazon starts offering MP3 downloads without DRM, I know I’ll buy more music. And it will force the labels to negotiate new deals with Microsoft and Apple (and hopefully Yahoo, Rhapsody, and Napster) which means 2007 could be the year we see the demise of DRM crippled music online.