Orange UK has announced that from today it will be selling DRM-free music downloads from its online and mobile music stores. As part of that change, it’s also introduced variable pricing – the same concession Apple made on its iTunes Store when that went DRM-free.Orange has more than 700,000 DRM-free tracks available now, although it’s only signed up two major labels – Universal Music Group and EMI, plus various independents. No Warner Music Group or Sony for now, it seems. Meanwhile, Orange’s music store and overall music portal are being revamped to be easier to navigate around, with more information on events like Orange RockCorps, and handset offers like Nokia’s Comes With Music 5800.That’s interesting, actually. Orange’s own music store is going DRM-free, but the portal it sits within will be advertising the still un-DRM-free Comes With Music handset. Is there potential for customer confusion there? Anyway, Orange’s director of products, portals and services Paul Jevons is talking up the changes.”Orange is committed to providing customers with the widest access to music tracks and content. Upgrading the Music Portal and introducing DRM-free music helps customers enjoy music how and when they want. We look forward to enhancing the DRM-free music catalogue over the coming months.”
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