Apple’s CEO Steve Jobs posted an open letter regarding the state of DRM in music and how Apple would be more than thrilled to throw away DRM if only the 4 major record labels allowed it. EMI was quick to respond, hinting that they have been working with DRM-free music for some time. RealNetworks saluted the appeal also. And the RIAA understood nothing.

There is certainly an angle to Jobs’ letter. After all, if DRM is no longer an issue, iTunes can now sell music to more than just iPod owners. Plus, new iPod owners would be able to play their Yahoo! Music content [so more people would now buy iPods.] But the same is true for everyone else. Companies can now compete on content, pricing and presentation if all the music is playable on all the players. Price is not the only reason a lot of people went to AllOfMP3.com to buy music; freedom is another thing.