Apple and EMI Music Launch 'iTunes Pass' Short-Term Subscriptions

EMI Music announced today that they have launched the first 'iTunes Pass', providing automatic downloads of all releases from a given artist within a specific time period. The first artist available under this program is Depeche Mode, with the current iTunes Pass [iTunes] available at a cost of $18.99 and good through June 16th, 2009.

The first iTunes Pass debuts today in conjunction with Depeche Mode's forthcoming 12th studio album, Sounds of the Universe, to be released on April 21 in the US. Fans who sign up starting today get the alternative/dance pioneers' new single, Wrong, as well as the Black Light Odyssey Dub Remix of the new track Oh Well. They will also receive the new album on its street date plus great music and video exclusives before and after the album's release over the next fifteen weeks. The Depeche Mode iTunes Pass can be purchased starting today for $18.99.

According to Apple's information document on iTunes Pass [iTunes], all music is delivered in DRM-free iTunes Plus format, and while the contents of a given pass are not necessarily fully outlined at the time of purchase and are subject to change over time, the price of the pass will not exceed the value of the contents offered. Apple also discloses on their iTunes Store Terms of Service that, unless otherwise specified, all content must be downloaded within 90 days after the end of the pass period.