Sony BMG goes DRM free

By Stuart Miles Pocket-lint - Monday, January 7 06:18 pm

SONY BMG Music entertainment has confirmed that it will offer tracks DRM free with the announcement that it is launching a new service called "Platinum MusicPass" launching on 15 January.

The new service will offer a series of digital album cards that enable consumers to download full-length albums, and in many cases special bonus content, in the form of high-quality MP3 files that will be DRM free.

However, the cards, which are currently limited to only 37 albums won't be available online nor outside the US or Canada meaning music fans will still have to physically buy the card from a store.

"We see MusicPass as a great way to bring digital music to the physical retail space," Mr. Hesse added. "We believe it will have strong appeal for a broad range of consumers, and that it will ultimately expand both the digital and physical markets for music."

The cards will cost around $12.99 which will include the complete digital album plus bonus material or, in the case of compilations, extensive track listings. In order get the content from their MusicPass cards consumers scratch the back of their card to unveil their pin number. They then visit MusicPass.com to download their music files and bonus material.

The initial slate of Platinum MusicPass titles is as follows:

Platinum MusicPass Albums with Bonus Material (slrp $12.99):

Alejandro Fernandez, Viento A Favor

Alicia Keys, As I Am

Avril Lavigne, The Best Damn Thing

Backstreet Boys, UnBreakable

Barry Manilow, The Greatest Songs of the Seventies

Bob Dylan, Dylan

Boys Like Girls, Boys Like Girls

Brad Paisley, 5th Gear

Britney Spears, Blackout

Brooks & Dunn, Cowboy Town

Bruce Springsteen, Magic

Calle 13, Residente o Visitante

Camila, Todo Cambio

Carrie Underwood, Carnival Ride

Casting Crowns, The Altar and The Door

Celine Dion, Taking Chances

Chris Brown, Exclusive

Daughtry, Daughtry

Elvis Presley, Elvis 30 #1 Hits

Jennifer Lopez, Brave

John Mayer, Continuum

Kenny Chesney, Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates

Martina McBride, Waking Up Laughing

P!nk, I'm Not Dead

Santana, Ultimate Santana

Sara Bareilles, Little Voice

Sean Kingston, Sean Kingston

The Fray, How To Save A Life

Three Days Grace, One-X

Tony Bennett, Duets

Platinum MusicPass Compilations (slrp $12.99)

Various, 70's POP HITS

Various, ROCK OF THE 70's

Various, SENSATIONAL 60's

Various, COUNTRY GOLD: THE 90's

Various, 80's POP HITS

Various, CLASSIC ROCK

Various, Everlasting Love

SOURCE