The year of 2007 saw a big move to free digital music of DRM. From Steve Jobs' open letter to record labels and online users everywhere finding easier and better ways to get their hands on pirated copies of DRM-free music, record labels are beginning to feel the pressure to release their digital music without DRM protection.

It now appears that two more players are joining in on the fight. Wal-mart and Amazon, by coincidence, have both launched an offensive for the rights to offer their users digital music with no DRM protection.

Reportedly, Amazon is set to announce a giveaway of one billion MP3s during next year's Super Bowl game. Participation for this will, more than likely, be like every other digital music giveaway. Bottles of Pepsi will have codes under the cap. Customer's will be able to redeem five codes online for one free download. Amazon launched its online music store in September, but like Wal-mart, EMI and Universal were the only companies to take full advantage of this service.

Wal-mart has reportedly given the big records labels (including Warner Music Group and Sony BMG Music Entertainment) and ultimatum to allow them the ability to sale DRM free music. Wal-mart has been selling digital music for years, but it has always been wrapped in Microsoft's PlaysForSure DRM. If you've ever downloaded these, then you will know that this music does not work on Apple's iPod or, ironically, Microsoft's own Zune. Wal-mart got rid of DRM in August, but EMI and Univeral were the only two companies who saw the benefit of giving their listeners what they wanted.

With these two giants in the retail industry taking the side of DRM-free music, 2007 could be a great year for digital music. Let's hope the record label, for once, listens to their users and offers them what they want.