EMI is reported to be talking to online retailers about selling its entire digital music catalog in MP3 format without copy protection.

The move would create a major split in the music industry. Earlier this week, Warner Music chief executive Edgar Bronfman Jr. responded to Steve Jobs’ challenge to dump DRM by telling industry analysts that the idea of dumping DRM was “without logic and merit.”

“We will not abandon DRM,” said Bronfman.
London-based EMI reportedly has asked retailers to submit proposals telling the company what size advance payments they would offer in exchange for the right to sell EMI’s music as MP3s. Based on the size of the proposals, EMI will decide whether to proceed or not.

There’s no word on when, how or if the company plans to make this move. ”We’re not commenting on speculation,” said EMI spokeswoman Jeanne Meyer.

via CHICAGO SUN-TIMES