Future digital music will not restrict listening device?

It may be a long time for music lovers to live in a free 'world' to buy and enjoy iTunes music or any online music service the way they like. This is a prominent issue discussed at MIDEM, the world's largest music industry trade fair, taking place in France this week.

At MIDEM for the 41st time, all music giants were put under increasing pressure from many sides, demanding to sell products of an unlimited format while in use.

In fact, music fans have been complaining for a long time because of their inability to listen to music purchased legally on various devices. The reason for this is that the songs were locked by the DRM (digital rights management) code, the original code designed for the benefit of artists.

Hoping for an 'unlimited' music provided by four world music giants would be a good news for music fans.

But for music companies, it can't be called happy. Because the industry is struggling to survive in the digital age, when the rapid growth of digital music is not enough to compensate for the loss of record sales.

Visitors listen to music at the 41st MIDEM, the world's most influential and influential music trade fair.Source of AFP

The DRM code was originally used by music and computer giant Apple to block millions of iPod users, forcing them to buy music from its iTunes online store.

For those who use MP3 players, there are other obstacles. They can buy and enjoy songs purchased from iTunes on their mobile music devices but cannot hear songs purchased by four other brands, EMI, Universal, Sony BMG and Warner.

But on the other hand, MP3 format is the main factor leading to the remarkable success of rookie eMusic. This free music retailer, after a very short time, has become the world's second largest digital music service.

On Monday this week (January 22), eMusic announced that there were more than 250,000 subscribers, just four months after reaching 200,000 subscribers.

Mr. David Parkman, eMusic president said: ' eMusic has been successful in Europe and America because we have brought to customers a combination that no service has, that is, music can be played on any device. equipment, tools for discovering and editing high quality music, a view towards true music passion, overcoming a trivial trade trend '.

Mr. Parkman is one of a number of names who especially believe in the trend of easing digital music for several years in the future. ' It has to change and will change in the next one or two years because they (music giants) have no other choice, ' he said.

Recent moves of EMI show that this company has somewhat had certain changes. Last week, EMI announced that it was allowed to download free music on Baidu.com, a version of Google in China and the fourth most popular Internet search site in the world.

Another giant also seems to be wavering, Warner Music. Also on Monday, the company said it had signed a contract to provide music and videos on Dailymotion, the world's second-largest video-sharing site.

Also at the MIDEM trade fair this week, consumer rights groups simultaneously put pressure on Apple and the music industry to abolish restrictions on product use until the end of 2007.

A number of retail businesses have made a significant change, with French firms Virginmega and Fnacmusic recently deciding to release 200,000 songs in MP3 format.

But according to experts, Apple is not easy to change stance as long as the competitive pressure on the market is still the reason for them to do so.

Do Duong