YES!!!!!

Blogging to an ongoing webcast. Excuse the somewhat uneven writing.

EMI has just announced that they will offer higher quality, DRM-free digital downloads.

First partner is iTunes. These higher quality tracks, 256kbs AAC, will costs $1.29 each.
These new tracks will be in the iTunes store in May. You still have the option to purchase $0.99 versions of the songs, if that is your preference. The entire EMI catalog on iTunes will be available in this DRM-Free high quality format.

Stevie. J tells me you can set iTunes to only present you with the higher quality tracks, if that's your choice.
Apparently, Steve Jobs believes most consumers will opt for the higher quality choice, and therefore pressure the industry into offering more DRM-Free music.

Wow, EMI CEO just said what lots of people, including myself, have been saying for a while. Give consumers an easy, convenient, affordable, and legal way to buy music and they will.

Stevie J. predicts that half of the iTunes catalog will be DRM-free by the end of 2007.

I'm a little upset about the higher price, but it's understandable. Either way, I'm excited about the news. I'm all about higher quality tracks, and of course, I can use iTunes now. Well, I can use iTunes in May.

EDIT: According to an News.com full DRM-free, higher quality albums will be the same price as standard iTunes albums. That means $10. I am so buying EMI stuff off iTunes.