Research Group Strategy Analytics says that EMI's recent decision to sell music sans DRM on iTunes could position Apple to take a leadership role in the emerging mobile music space.

The group notes that 60% of the music-capable phones introduced last year support the AAC music format used by iTunes. However in the past, these phones couldn't play iTunes files due to Apple's Fairplay DRM technology. With Fairplay removed--at least from EMI tracks--users will now be able to transfer iTunes-purchased music to their mobile phones.

"Without DRM attached to the music, Apple is able to leverage it's industry-leading iTunes store to sell music to any AAC compatible device," the group notes in a statement.