There are rumors flying that one of the big four is set to release a significant portion of their catalog in DRM-free mp3 format, which means that somewhere in label-land, someone finally managed to get their medication all straightened out. The big question is, who?

Glenn Coolfer writes, "I don't know which label it will be, but I'd bet against it being from Universal Music Group. Doug Morris experiment with MP3? That would be a shocker." Coolfer is spot on; there isn't enough thread in the world to sew up the generation gap between Doug Morris' megalomania-cal psyche and where the music business is actually headed.

Digital Music News says, "Just which label will pull the trigger is unclear, though EMI has been in an experimental mood." My money is on EMI as well. As I wrote recently about EMI, "You're sassy, experimental and, frankly, my favorite of the major labels."

Bruce Houghton all but confirms that EMI is the label in question, "Were hearing both from the US and abroad that EMI that is preparing to release some of its major catalog as DRM free mp3's."

So, is this the start of the DRM free Amazon catalog we've been hearing about? It might be. Frankly, it's about time. DRM will never stop those who desire to pirate music, and does little else aside from frustrating legitimate customers.