[mooty]

As an employee of one of the "big 4" labels, EMI - I can happily tell you that EMI are definately working towards this same goal. They're currently trying to rid DRM off the CD's we produce, and the likes of iTunes and other online stores will soon follow I am sure.

Although currently, our CD's do not contain DRM - there is an ongoing investigation to make this a stay. There's also been a number of announcements for various online retailers of music that are selling our tracks DRM-free.

Don't under-estimate the power of the Jobulator! Only 2 weeks ago he and the current Chairman of EMI had a phone discussion about "a wide range of issues" - most definitely The Beatles I am sure (what else - we can only speculate), but it wouldn't be the first time Apple and EMI have been linked (rumors of Apple takeover of EMI last year etc).

EMI are currently going through alot of changes - But I am certain that exciting times are to come, with the consumer, the artists, the labels and the likes of Apple equally benefiting.

Note: All this info is public domain - I'm not breaking my NDA. Any thoughts or speculation are my own, or of others in the public domain.