The maker of the very popular iPod has recently started selling certain music tracks online without DRM (digital rights management) protection. DRM protection was previously used to prevent users from copying music which was bought online. A big fanfare has now erupted as it was discovered that any music which was bought on the iTunes site would have the user’s personal information embedded in the music file. It is thought that this information might be used to track which users spread the music via sharing websites.

The DRM-free move followed an open letter by Steve Jobs from Apple in February 2007 that called for music companies to release tracks without digital locks, to which EMI responded positively in April. Perhaps the fact that South Africans are not allowed to buy music online from iTunes (due to international distribution issues) is a blessing in disguise?

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