EMI Removes DRM on iTunes, but Remember... Freedom Is Not Free

Apple has announced that all of the EMI "digital" song catalog (I take this to mean not all of EMI's songs but just the ones that are available digitally) will not be made available without DRM. This is a big deal. Finally, Steve Jobs has come through on his comments. Of course this momentous occasion does not come without expense or more value. These songs will cost $.30 more. However, they will also come as 256k AAC files that are much higher quality that what was available before. I'm sure some of the audiophiles out there won't be happy until they get them as FLAC files. My guess is that those people are buying CD's still anyways though.Apple will also allow you to upgrade all of your already purchased songs by paying $.30 per song (the same price as buying the non-DRM'd song to begin with. Bravo Steve Jobs, and... I can't believe I'm saying this... Bravo to EMI. But the conversion to freedom is not yet complete. The AAC format is proprietery. It is key for the support of all the hardware out there to supply it as an AAC file. I understand that to some extent. However, because its not in a format that is truly free, like OGG, there is still the remote possibility that all of this music will be trapped on devices or operating systems and left to rot. If there is no DRM then releasing it as an AAC and as a truly free format like OGG would be the best of both worlds.The AAC format requires no fee to stream or play music, however a developer is required to purchase a license to create a software codec. I haven't purchased anything from iTunes since I woke up and smelled the Freedom. I have also cracked all of my purchased iTunes songs so that I can play them on my Linux laptop. In fact my iPod's battery has been toast for some time. But perhaps now I should put my money where my mouth is and support Apple and EMI in their evolution towards true freedom. I would be a hypocrite of the highest degree if I did not support this move. Now where is that running iTunes in WINE howto I had laying around here?