Wow, such Apple bias here :)

This isn't a case of Apple "innovating" and Microsoft being a copycat. Many of the technology companies - aside from Apple and Microsoft, Real Networks and Yahoo! Music were both instrumental in fighting DRM. And most labels recognize the trouble with DRM - in most cases it seems to be decisions and strategy from the corporate parents. In fact, Gates railed against DRM months before Jobs' manifesto, and EMI had been considering releasing in MP3 (i.e., DRM-free) format for awhile.

(http://slashstar.com/blogs/tim/archive/2007/01/30/sometimes-piracy-isn-t-about-getting-it-for-free.aspx)

If anything, it is simply the fact that Apple has significant marketshare for purchased music (as opposed to subscription and streaming) and obviously has a lot of influence (looking at their deals within the music industry and now with cellphones).

The mere fact that Apple was lucky (or powerful) enough to be the first to get this doesn't mean they are the ones "innovating".

And as for whether these will be "really" DRM-free - I have no problem at all with watermarking. In fact, as I wrote, I think shame as DRM is an ideal deterrent that discourages casual sharing and has the same effect on "real" piracy (i.e., none).

(http://slashstar.com/blogs/tim/archive/2007/02/28/streamburst-offers-innovative-drm-for-video.aspx)

[ Oh, and in the interest of disclosure, I am Windows user but an iPod diehard, and a shareholder of both companies ]