Will variable pricing ever see the light of day? It just might if ta post today at Digital Music News is accurate. It claims sources "pointed to a variable pricing approach on an upcoming Microsoft digital music store."

Many have long been in favor of variable pricing. Warner Music Group's Edgar Bronfman is for it. EMI's Alain Levy stated publicly that he wanted it. Univeral Music Group's Doug Morris wants to have the option but as of October of 2005 was content with the status quo.

Though some music executives predicted iTunes would adopt variable pricing, Apple's negotiations with labels earlier this year did not produce a change in price points. And, of course, let's keep in mind that Microsoft's music store starts with the built-in handicap of facing iTunes as a competitor. If variable pricing is to be of benefit to labels, there will need to be some sales behind it.

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