Universal France Joins MP3 March

Universal Music France is quietly testing DRM-free downloads according to Billboard.biz. Hypebot has
a
lso heard recent rumors that other mp3 experiment by Universal are in the planning stages.

"L’Olympia," the first live album of French singer/composer
Emilie Simon best known for his soundtrack for "March Of The Penguins" was issued digitally Feb. 28th and at physical retail on March 5th through Universal France’s Barclay imprint. "We are
making some micro tests. This doesn’t
change our overall policy on DRM," Universal Music France president Pascal Negre stated.

The album is available both in MP3 and WMA formats on Simon’s web site and Negre says it has generated "a few dozen sales." The DRM free track is not, however, advertised on Simon’s on web
site or available via any other French online retailers.