DRM now dead, as Amazon snags Sony  It's the end of an era
Amazon.com has now secured the right to sell DRM-free music from
all four major labels, snagging Sony BMG.  On Monday, Sony BMG
announced it was lifting DRM from its digital music, but only
through a gift card service called Platinum MusicPass, which was
available through bricks and mortar retail channels. Amazon
wouldn't have any such shenanigans, and cut the strings Sony had
attached.  The move gives Amazon a clear competitive advantage
over its rivals Rhapsody and Apple's iTunes store. Rhapsody's
songs are tied to Windows DRM, while the only portable player
that supports Apple's DRM-protected songs is Apple's own iPod.
(Strictly speaking, there's a tedious workaround which allows
you to burn the song to CD, then re-import it as an MP3 that
sounds even worse than the original - but nobody bothers).  So
farewell then, music DRM. You were a stupid idea and we won't
miss you.  The end came quicker than anyone had expected. Just
eight weeks ago 7Digit