James Delahunty
23 Nov 2004 8:44
BT has launched an online music store in conjunction with DRM software provider, Blueprint, for both mobile customers and fixed line customers. It seems that Windows Media Audio is the prime format for the music store but Blueprint is in talks with Apple over the possibility of supporting its popular FairPlay AAC format. Artists will be able to upload their own music to the online store and configure various settings on the restrictions the DRM protection can enforce, such as how many times a song can be burned to CD or transferred to a portable digital audio device.
Vodafone has similar plans but has a different DRM provider, Coremedia. As mobile networks become bigger and faster, there is an emerging market for digital music downloads that could be done over mobile networks. Microsoft has already made steps to try to corner the market. This new site will also offer ringtones, music videos and skins, but will not have a mobile store until spring 2005.
Source:
The Inquirer