1. Amazon - All DRM free - all the time. 2.3 million mp3's from EMI and Universal and a ton of indies at variable prices from $.89 to $.99 with most albums from $4.99 to $9.99.
Blame selection problems on the labels; not Amazon.
2. eMusic - Until Amazon, these guys were #1, but with some labels leaving and competitors expanding, how long will eMusic stay #2? For now, you have to subscribe and won't find any major labels; but if you like indie music you can't beat $.33 per song or less ...which of course is why some labels are leaving.
3. WalMart - Yup, WalMart.com. There's no indie product available (and they can't blame shelf space), but lots of tracks from both EMI and Universal and most of them are priced at a low $.88.
4. Real/Rhapsody - These guys do music subscriptions and streaming better than anyone. On the DRM-free front, however, you'll only find limited major label mp3's. But their CEO was brave enough to be the first to publicaly call for DRM free and with the recent partnership with MTV, you can expect interesting changes ahead.
Next time Hypebot publishes this list Rhapsody could be #3 or even #2.
5. 7Digital - I'd rank this innovative UK digital retailer in the Top 2 or 3 if they would just add purchases in US dollars and perhaps euros. But more than half of their extensive catalog is in mp3's with lots of unique offerings. Worth a look even if you get slammed by your credit card company for the conversion.
DISHONORABLE MENTIONS -
iTunes - Way back in February Steve Jobs railed against DRM and called on record labels to drop it. Now 8 months later iTunes has made virtually no indie product available DRM-free and the major label label it does sell without copy protection is in the less than universal AAC format.
Napster - No DRM free product at all. When asked why ,they said they'd change when enough was available so that multiple formats didn't confuse the customer. But Amazon and eMusic each found than 2 million+ DRM-free tracks, and WalMart and Rhapsody found ways to inform consumers.
Can you add any honorable or dishonorable mentions? What are your favorite places to purchase DRM free downloads?
