The Economist reports: EMI Recorded Music has issued a press release announcing a "enhanced digital download distribution program" for its music. Unlike other online distribution schemes, which tend to restrict consumers' use of the music, EMI promises a lot (relatively speaking): "the ability to download tracks permanently, the technical capability to burn a limited number of personal copies and the flexibility to import recordings to portable devices."
EMI also promises recordings from an impressive array of artists: "Included will be works from artists such as Billy Idol, Blondie, David Bowie, Coldplay, Joe Cocker, DC Talk, Duran Duran, Everclear, Fatboy Slim, Pink Floyd, Norah Jones, Kottonmouth Kings, Dave Koz, Lenny Kravitz, Megadeth, Kylie Minogue, Anne Murray, Tina Turner, Thalia, Keith Urban, The Vines, Cassandra Wilson and The Beach Boys, as well as music from legendary EMI catalogue artists such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Nat King Cole and Selena. EMI will also offer classical works such as recordings by Placido Domingo, Sarah Chang and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Sir Simon Rattle as well as thousands of other recordings in the country, jazz, gospel and Christian music genres."
The Economist claims that this is but the latest strategy by the recording industry to deal with the proliferation of online music sharing with software like Kazaa and Aimster.
Read the article here.