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9 to 5 Mac is reporting a "hunch" that Sony BMG may soon offer its music catalog via the iTunes Store in the Apple's 256K / DRM-free iTunes Plus format.

Let's just say we have a hunch on this one. Sony iTunes Plus high quality AAC files coming to the iTunes store in the next few weeks/months..same deal, 256kbit quality, no DRM.

To date, EMI Music is the only major music company that offers its catalog in Apple's high-quality, DRM-free iTunes Plus format—a relationship that's existed since April 2007.

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In February of last year, Steve Jobs made an open call to all record companies to give up on DRM and offer their music unencumbered via the iTunes Stores, a move that would benefit everyone, especially the labels themselves.

However, EMI aside, the record labels have tried to use 256K / DRM-free music as a tool to loosen the iTunes Store's dominance of the music downloads. However, just like three years ago, Apple claims 70-plus percent share of the music download market.

Here's hoping Sony BMG has finally seen the light and will soon free its catalog and go iTunes Plus...

What's your take?

via MacRumors

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