Nokia hints at DRM-free future

 

Gallery

By Stuart Turton

Posted on 3 Mar 2009 at 10:02

Nokia is considering scrapping DRM on its Comes With Music service, as it seeks to broaden the appeal of the service.

Comes With Music is an all-you-can-eat service that allows users to download as many tracks as they want from the Nokia Music Store. Unfortunately, those tracks are locked to the handset, or designated PC.

However, the company has hinted the end of DRM maybe near as it looks to keep the service interesting to consumers, especially with sales of handsets shrinking.

"We have dialogues going with all of our partners and DRM-free is also on the roadmap for the future integration of Comes With Music," dam Mirabella, director of Global Digital Music Retail for Nokia tells Channel News Asia.

"There needs to be a new format that drives the business forward again.

"We always knew digital was the answer, but for all this time, we've never been able to figure out a model that actually makes money, given the fact that music is so available on the net or so freely available that people were getting the music they wanted, but not actually paying for it."

The idea of offering millions of downloads for a one-off payout seems unlikely, but it's interesting to see the company is considering the options. We are awaiting further details of the scheme at the time of writing.