Leaning with Intent

Apple iTunes DRM-Free

Apple iTunes has become one of the most popular places where people buy music. While there is some competition, data seems to suggest that competitors, such as Amazon.com’s DRM-free music store, seem to have a very small impact on Apple iTunes. The data further suggests that only 10% of Amazon’s MP3 customers had previously purchased digital music from iTunes. Many analysts predicted that Amazon would be a threat to iTunes, but so far it looks like they attract different type of customers and may not be in direct competition. On the side note iTunes have recently become the largest US music retailer, surpassing Wal-mart. Apple sells over ten times more tracks then Amazon and it seems that no dangerous competitor is going to arise anytime soon. The reason for this might be that iTunes became a powerful brand which is very well known by now. One of the recent changes to iTunes is the fact of dropping DRM (digital rights management) from music. Why drop DRM? While DRM was created to limit any unauthorized use, it seems that effective DRM is impossible, and at the same time it is inconvenient for legit users. Many believe that this is a step in the right direction.