In Surprise Move, Universal Music pwns Apple

Looks like I won't have to follow through on my promise to renounce my criticisms of Apple. Not only has Steve Jobs not told Universal Music to piss off, Universal has now turned around and done it to him.

Long time readers will remember that Apple has changed their position on digital rights management within the past six months, changing from extreme anti-piracy software crippling to embracing the possibility of selling mp3s with no DRM at all.

More recently, Universal threw a hissy fit over their contract terms with Apple/iTunes, hoping to gain more control over how their music is distributed.

Looks like they found a better way to do that than with new contract language.

After years of posturing themselves as the most anti-piracy, anti-progressive music company out there, Universal has agreed to offer their music with no DRM--for no additional charge--through numerous digital music stores. But not iTunes.

The part about no additional charge is especially important; DRM-free tunes from Apple cost 30 cents more than the going rate, at $1.29 each.

I've never been fond of Universal before, but as an industry commentator I respect this move. One can only wonder, of course, if they will continue a pattern of pro-competition policy, or if, like much of big music's behavior in recent years, this is no more than a last-ditch save for their pocketbooks. There's still the question of how artists are treated as well; but for the time being, I'll treat this as welcome news.

Now I'll wait to see if and how Apple responds.