Apple who previously sold every single song on the iTunes site for 99 cents, most with copy-protection software, has come up with a new price structure and by the end of March will drop all copy protection on the music it sells. That will allow people to use music they purchase in homemade videos, for instance, or move songs easily to another music player. But you need to make it plain to your kids that that does not mean that they can use they music they buy in any way they want. Fair Use still is in effect and the music they buy can’t be used without permission as the background for a school performance, for example, without permission.
In April, all song prices will change to one of three tiers: 69 cents, 99 cents or $1.29. Back-catalog songs will be priced at 69 cents, with most new ones going up to $1.29. Hard to know what will cost 99 cents.
Apple made new deals with the media industry that is hungry for a new revenue stream since CD sales have taken such a beating. Apple has faced competition from Amazon, which began selling unrestricted music in 2007.
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