Music retailer eMusic has removed the subscription requirement in order to buy music from it’s online store. The announcement by CEO Adam Klein brings eMusic in line with other online music stores in not charging customers a monthly fee just to be able to download songs, something that opens up the 14-year-old store to more potential customers.
Until now, a subscription was required to download and own tracks from eMusic. Now, while customers will be able to buy tracks from the store without needing the subscription, those that do still pay the fee will get discounts of between 25 and 50-percent on their purchases, as well as a credit for free music downloads.
The change in business model is hoped by eMusic to encourage more people to buy music through it instead of services such as iTunes, though this is not the only positive side-effect of the new business model. Klein claims to be “in talks with potential partners in the OEM market, and also with wireless and cable operators, as well as big box retailers.”
