Microsoft has officially confirmed that it will follow in the footsteps of EMI Group Plc and Apple Inc. EMI and Apple have been at the epicenter of an earthquake that has impacted the music industry and the digital world: digital rights management free commercial downloads. In the aftermath of the EMI and Apple announcement, Microsoft too revealed that it will deliver music online with no DRM protection.

Microsoft's position on the DRM protected content was well know. Signs of digital music without the restrictions of digital rights management could be anticipated from Bill Gates' position made public at the 2006 Mix Conference. "DRM has huge problems, and is not where it should be. In the end of the day incentive systems for artists make a difference," Gates explained at that time. "But we don't have the right thing here in terms of simplicity or interoperability."

However, Microsoft did little to manifest Gates' opinions on DRM. The Redmond Company simply played by the rules, and even integrated digital rights management into Windows Vista. Still, following the Apple and EMI deal, Microsoft has changed its tune.

"The EMI announcement on Monday was not exclusive to Apple. Consumers have made it clear that unprotected music is something they want. We plan on offering it to them as soon as our label partners are comfortable with it," revealed Katy Asher, a Microsoft representative on the Zune team.

Selling DRM-free content is a strategy that will benefit the end-consumers the most. But Microsoft, Apple, and other online outlets that sell digital music, as well as the device manufacturers also stand to gain. Still, the move will not be popular among music studios that will be forced to jump on the DRM free wagon or lose money. The DRM patent holders will also be affected by digital music without DRM protection.