EMI, which was the first major label to move away from DRM-protected music, has reported significant increases in digital sales of some of its most popular titles since the move.
Since EMI removed DRM-protection from its catalogue, it has witnessed a 115% increase in digital sales of Coldplay’s album, Rush of Blood to the Head, and a 272% increase in digital sales of Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon.
The writing is on the wall for major record labels unless they downsize and move into new revenue streams, such as artist representation, touring and merchandising. A recent analyst report on the Warner Music Group states that “an increasing majority of worldwide consumers simply view recorded music as ‘free’”.
British rock group Radiohead also left their major record label EMI recently, choosing to sell their record directly to their fans through their website. Radiohead’s recent album, In Rainbows, was sold directly to fans who were asked to pay what they wanted for the album.
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