A subscription service offering unlimited legal downloads is to be launched after a ground-breaking agreement between a leading internet service provider and the world's biggest music label, it was announced today.
Virgin Media and Universal Music said the service will allow music lovers to stream and download as many music tracks and albums as they want from the entire Universal Music catalogue in return for a monthly subscription fee.
Subscribers will be abl
e to download music to keep permanently and to store on any MP3 compatible device.
The scheme would also allow an "entry level" offer where subscribers received unlimited streaming of music but a limited number of downloads.
The service, for use by Virgin Media broadband customers, will allow one subscription per household and would not specify restrictions on the type of device on which the music was played.
Artists signed to Universal Music include Amy Winehouse, U2, Elton John, the Rolling Stones, Duffy, the Sugababes and James Morrison.
Virgin Media said it was currently negotiating with other UK major and independent music labels and publishers to expand the service further in time for the launch of the service later this year.
It added that it will be working with Universal Music to educate users to warn about the dangers of illegally downloading music and raise awareness about legal alternatives.
The agreement comes after an International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) report in January which found that digital music was booming but estimating that 95% of music downloads were still illegal.
Virgin Media chief executive officer Neil Berkett, said: "In terms of both convenience and value, our new music service will be superior to anything that's available online today and provides a fair deal for both consumers and artists.
"There is no better example of Virgin Media's commitment to harnessing digital technology to give customers what they want, when they want and how they want."
Lucian Grainge, chairman and chief executive of Universal Music Group International, said: "Britain has a world-class reputation for artists and music.
"Now British consumers will have access to a world-class digital music service. I believe this puts all of us at the forefront of a new era."
Lord Carter, communications minister, said: "Government has a role in creating the right legal and regulatory framework for rights and copyright.
"However, the market will flourish through innovative commercial agreements between companies, and agreements such as this will help significantly in reducing any demand for piracy."
Sir Richard Branson, chairman of Virgin Group, said: "I'm thrilled to see Virgin back where it belongs at the heart of music and, once again, breaking the mould.
"Virgin Media's agreement with Universal is a world first and lays the ground for a truly unique service when it launches later this year."
A number of artists signed to Universal Music also publicly welcomed the agreement.
Musician James Morrison said: "I like to think that people are honest by nature, and making it easier for them to get lots of music, all legally, can only be a good thing.
"There should be something special about buying a great piece of music, a bit of magic that comes with discovery."
Duffy said: "When I was growing up, the nearest record shop was two hours away, which made it tricky to get any music at all. So something like this would have been great."
The full article contains 575 words and appears in scotsman.com newspaper.
