DRM-Free Downloads from EMI

Apple and EMI have just announced an agreement where EMI's music catalog (except for Beatles tunes, natch) will be available for download from the iTunes Store in DRM-free versions. Users will be able to choose from the normal copy-protected versions at 99-cents each, or the new copy-free versions at $1.29 each. As an added benefit, the DRM-free tracks will be encoded at a higher bit rate (AAC format, 256 kbps) for improved sound quality. Sounds like a good deal to me. Expect other companies to follow suit.