Shake Up At iTunes Store

Yesterday, Apple announced that it would lift the anticopying restrictions on its entire digital store as well as permit record companies to set their own price for songs. The anticopying restrictions come as a result of digital rights management software. Also known as D.R.M., this software limits the times a file can be copied and makes it playable only on the iPod. Apple is finally permitted to sell songs without D.R.M. because of it's agreement to drop its blanket 99 cent song policy.

While the majority of songs will actually drop to 69 cents, the most popular hits and newest releases will jump to $1.29. Some tracks will still be available for 99 cents. Record companies are hoping to generate more revenue with the new price system by creating greater interest in their older and now cheaper catalogue while predicting that consumers will be willing to fork over an extra 30 cents for today's hits.

Before you start complaining, just stop and think about it. Under the old method, if you wanted to make an illegal copy of I Am...Sasha Fierce for everyone on your Facebook friend list, you would first have to buy it and then, after burning so many copies, iTunes wouldn't let you do it anymore. You would then have to go through all the trouble of ripping one of the burned copies of the album to get a DRM free version of it before continuing to make one for everyone on your list. See all the trouble that 30 cents saves you? Your little sister's best friend who you've never actually met but she added you one day and you accepted to not be a jerk will be so pleased. And you can save a little money when you buy all those Carpenters songs you've been dying to get.