In the U.S.,
big labels EMI Group and Universal Music Group are jumping on the DRM-free bandwagon, too, while retailers like Real Networks, Amazon.com, Apple and Wall-Mart are making DRM free music a priority.
"DRM free music is going to help digital music expand from the iPod generation to the mainstream market," says John McFarlane CEO of Sonos Inc., a company that sells digital music players bundled with
music services like Pandora and Real's Rhapsody.
Apple's dominance of digital music won't be threatened by an open music market. Consumers are still buying iPods, and Apple makes most of its music money selling hardware. As long as its music software stays competitively priced, it should spur iPod and iTunes sales.