We can drop the question mark now. EMI releases word via its press office that it IS dropping digital rights management (DRM) protocols on "premium downloads" of its music tracks. No DRM = full interoperability across all music platforms, so as long as it can play the file format.

Here's the kicker: making the joint announcement with EMI, Apple says that iTunes will be the first to retail EMI's premium downloads. They also announce that these premium AAC-format tracks at twice the quality of existing downloads, and with the DRM removed, at only US$ 1.29/€ 1.29/£ 0.99 on iTunes. Their regular-quality counterparts, still with DRM, will retail for the standard US$ 0.99/€ 0.99/£ 0.79. Customers who already have the standard-quality tracks can upgrade to the double-quality DRM-free version for US$ 0.30/€ 0.30/£ 0.30. EMI music videos will also be DRM free - no change in price!

There's the shock, ain't it? Pay a higher price for the DRM-free? Of course, at twice the quality of the regular download, it's both a larger file and certainly a premium, which would justify the higher price; we can't exactly envision the higher price as a "disincentive" to DRM-free files with that kind of setup. Or perhaps it's a cautious step by EMI - seeing how the market reacts to this.

Still, EMI expects that customers will flock to the new premium downloads - both for the higher quality and the full interoperability of the files. They've been tinkering with DRM-free tracks since the end of last year, the PR notes. On the other hand, EMI will continue to use DRM in other models of digital distribution, such as subscription-based models, super-distribution (file-sharing with friends - think Zune), and time-limited downloads (such as those subsidized by ads).