Cheap still isn't free

Apple iTunes is dropping the surcharge on unprotected music tracks, responding to competitors Wal-Mart and Amazon, which offer lower prices.

Before the cut, DRM-free tracks were $1.29 — $0.30 more than tracks with digital rights management in place.

Apple started selling DRM-free music on May 30 as part of its new iTunes Plus service. These "unprotected" tracks can be easily exchanged and replicated amongst other listeners.

ITunes accounted for 70 percent of all online music sales and is the third largest music retailer in the US behind Wal-Mart and Best Buy, according to the Boston Globe.