Yesterday Paul Resnikoff over at Digital Music News wrote that sources had told him that Universal Music Group is in talks with Apple to offer DRM-free downloads at iTunes. One "well-placed" source within UMG said there could possibly be an announcement within two weeks.

Today, The Times has an article that claims UMG is "preparing to experiment with selling digital music without the existing levels of copy protection." Writer Dan Sabbagh did not quote a single person nor make reference to an unnamed source, and he reiterated that an announcement could happen within a few weeks. I have no idea where he got his information.

The only official statement is to the contrary. Today Pocket-lint quotes UMG SVP Peter LoFrumento as saying "the rumor is completely untrue." At least somebody went on the record, but his statement contradicts what sources have told Resnikoff.