Vodafone users will now be able to enjoy DRM-free music, as the company announced today that it has made deals with multiple record labels, allowing users to download music and use it on any number of devices without DRM induced restrictions.
DRM or Digital Rights Management is a way to lock music files to the first device that they are downloaded onto. This is to ensure that the music is not illegally copied and distributed, i.e. it is a measure to prevent piracy. However, since most users these days use more than one device, having some of their music stuck to one or two devices is a major hurdle to enjoying music freely. Thus, this move will come as a major relief to users who want to enjoy their music without any restriction on it.
By doing away with DRM for all their networks across the globe, Vodafone becomes the first mobile network operator to offer this service to its users, allowing them to enjoy music downloads on the go on their mobile phones, netbooks, laptops, etc. absolutely DRM free (if you enjoy downloading music onto your laptop, click here for the mobile broadband with free laptop). Moreover, customers who have already bought music in other formats, such as audio CDs, from record companies that are part of this deal, like Sony, EMI or Universal Music, will be able to upgrade their music files to DRM free versions, free of cost.
At the announcement, Vodafone Internet Services Director, Pieter Knook, emphasised the fact that music is very important to many of the company’s customers and this move would enable them to enjoy their favourite music anywhere they want and at any time.
