iTunes store to drop DRM

Wow.... my post yesterday was good timing.

Seems Apple's iTunes Store will drop DRM on their songs.

I think that's great, people will finally be able to play the music they purchase where they like.

Eight million songs will be available from the iTunes store DRM-free, rising to more than 10 million by April.

Two things I don't agree with however is this:

1. Australian users can upgrade their already purchased tracks to DRM-free via the store as they become available for 50 cents a track.
   Why should I have to pay $0.50 per track to receive the DRM-free version?
   
   For those stuck with DRM-cripped files, create a playlist of your crippled files, and burn them to a black CD-R/CD-RW. Then just import/rip them un-DRMed. It's free to do yourself, and it's much cheaper for a few CDs then $0.50 per track.


2. Apple has agreed to a new system of tiered prices for the songs offered. In effect, hot new songs will cost more than back catalogue music, allowing the labels to make more money from new releases.
   One has to ask, are royalties to artists also tiered? I suspect not. I'm happy to pay a premium; if these additional fees go to the artist, and not filling the wallets of music industry fat cats.

Presonally I will be using services like last.fm, Jamendo and MagnaTune over the iTunes store and helping to fatten the music execs. Sure it might not have the same 'chart' artists who have had their music whored out (often not with their consent), but I would prefer to see my of my hard earned dollars reaching the artist.