Sources confirm move to MP3 in 2009 and DRM could be removed from Comes With Music in 2010.
At the UK launch of Nokia's N97 last night, ME learned that Nokia would follow the industry trend away from DRM by removing copy protection from its own music store later this year.
The firm had hinted at this strategy in widely reported remarks make in March, but this was a firmer commitment to do so before the end of 2009. Tracks are currently protected with Microsoft's PlaysForSure DRM.
Nokia also revealed that it expects DRM to disappear from its bundled subscription service Comes With Music in 2010.
This is a much more controversial step as CWM offers unlimited music rolled into the cost of a handset. The firm has always preferred the DRM-free option, but it's the labels that make the ultimate decision.
Now, following high profile moves such as the recent decision by Universal and Virgin Media to go DRM free on a new subscription service, it seems the tide is turning.
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Meanwhile, Nokia again batted off rumours that CWM is under-performing. It said the handsets are helping Orange to over-perform at retail, and confirmed that 60 per cent of all CWM device owners in the UK, and over 70 per cent in Mexico, activate the unlimited track service.
