Pricing for the unrestricted tracks is different than with offerings from iTunes as well as Amazon MP3, Wal-Mart, and other stores, Bell notes. Although albums sell at the same price in MP3 form as Windows Media versions, individual songs vary between 99 cents and $1.29 Canadian each depending on label agreements. Windows Media music would continue to be sold side-by-side with the unprotected formats, according to the store operator. The changes to the store have already taken effect.

Sympatico/MSN is the second major label-independent store in Canada to have embraced unprotected music and follows Puretracks, which also began offering MP3s through an update in early August. Puretracks embraced a more consistent iTunes-like model and opened sales with a consistent $1.29 Canadian price per song.