Rhapsody goes DRM-free

RealNetworks has removed the digital rights management software from its Rhapsody music service.

The company plans to offer MP3 files without the copy protection code through a new web-based music store.

Rhapsody MP3 Store promises to offer some five million DRM-free songs from each of the four major labels.

The store will be Rhapsody's first venture into individual song and album sales and a departure from the subscription model.

Users will be able to listen to full-song previews, rather than shortened clips, before purchasing a song.

RealNetworks promised that most of the store's albums would cost $9.99, while individual songs would cost 99 cents.

The firm also plans to partner with music channels VH1, MTV and CMT to allow users to purchase songs from the Rhapsody store through the networks' respective websites. The company will also expand its wireless music service.

RealNetworks explained that the move is part of a larger 'Music Without Limits' campaign designed to expand Rhapsody's reach.

"Until now, legal digital music has suffered from severe limitations on where consumers could buy it and how they could use it," said RealNetworks chairman and chief executive Rob Glaser.

"Music Without Limits fixes those problems and will make digital music easier and more valuable for consumers."