Orange Music Store drops DRM

European mobile operator Orange announced its revamped Orange Music Store will offer more than 2 million tracks free of digital rights management restrictions. According to Orange, the refreshed mobile and web portal service first went live in the U.K. last week, giving subscribers access to more than 700,000 DRM-free tracks via simpler, more intuitive browsing and navigation tools--the carrier notes it will gradually convert all 2 million songs in its catalog from rights-protected to DRM-free across its footprint. Orange subscribers must now make one payment to receive two files--a DRM-free MP3 file for their PC, and an over-the-air download for their mobile handset. The content can be shared with another PC, burned to a CD or transferred to any portal MP3 player.

The Orange Music Store first launched in 2005 and now operates in nine European markets. Its content catalog includes tracks from major labels including Universal Music, Warner Music, Sony Music Entertainment and EMI Music as well as a host of indie imprints. Following on the heels of the U.K. launch, the revamped store will open in France, Switzerland, Romania, Slovakia, Portugal and other markets throughout the remainder of the year, additionally promising new features like improved search, faster billing processes, personalized recommendations and user community features.

For more on the DRM-free Orange Music Store:
- read this release

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