EMI is set to cut 1,500 to 2,000 jobs in a restructuring program. The label is also considering having corporate sponsors for their bands as another source of income.

What would you think of a band being sponsored by McDonald’s or Ford?

EMI and Apple today announced a plan to sell DRM free music starting this May. Songs on the iTunes store will be sold a higher quality bit-rate of 256 kbps AAC for $1.29 a song. You will also have the option to upgrade songs you have already purchased at the 128 kbps rate for $.30 a song. EMI’s music videos will also be sold without DRM for no additional charge. For more information you can read the press releases at the links below.

Note: EMI will also sell DRM free music on other download stores at a later date.