AmazonMP3 may start seeing DRM-free tracks from Sony BMG at some point in 2008. Sony, a company with a checkered proprietary past is planning on dropping DRM on at least “some” of their library. The some with DRM-free tracks remains a big obstacle for all the music companies. Lots of library gaps. This could happen sooner than later too.

Sony BMG, a joint venture of Sony (SNE) and Bertelsmann, will make at least part of its collection available without so-called digital rights management, or DRM, software some time in the first quarter, according to people familiar with the matter.

From the sounds of this Sony is dipping toes in the water and not taking the full plunge, but we’ll have to wait and see how many artists and songs make it onto AmazonMP3 and iTunes.

Not sure about you, but I don’t want Sony to stop at DRM-free music. I’d like to see them get off the backs of the homebrew developers building games for the PSP. And what kind of content creation will be allowed, if any, on the upcoming Sony HOME service through the Playstation Network? Would be nice if they’d open that up as well and offer something similar to what Second Life offers.

Since Sony is the last of the four major music companies to agree to offer DRM-free tracks, the path has been cleared for a future of someday being able to legally purchase MP3 for all the music you enjoy. I’d say currently it’s maybe 30% of the music I like (rock and roll) is available legally for sale on MP3 at AmazonMP3. A lot of incomplete artist libraries at iTunes and AmazonMP3. Can’t blame the music companies for not offering every artist as there are still some holdouts like the Beatles (I thought the Beatles had promised to get their music out there digitally, what’s the hangup?).

It would be nice to see this number jump to 95%+ by 2010. How much of the music you enjoy is available via MP3?

Update 1/7/08 8:01am PST: In the second quarter Reuters is reporting that Napster is going to start offering MP3 files for sale. Talk about returning to roots.

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