eMusic Launches Unrestricted European Downloads

The world's biggest online retailer of independent music has opened a European store offering unrestricted downloads. eMusic is the second most successful download site in the US after Apple's iTunes Music Store, and will sell tracks from 8,500 independent labels.

The subscription-based site will offer MP3 recordings that work on all digital music players, including Apple's iPod. But eMusic has not struck deals with major record labels, who say their music must carry digital restrictions.

eMusic plans to sell music across Europe, and has employed music journalists to help confused customers navigate their way through its varied collection. Users will be able to choose between three subscription levels, offering 40, 65 or 90 downloads each month. If the maximum number of downloads per month is used, the cost of each track will be under 25p. Apple's iTunes service sells songs for 79p each.

Unlike other subscription-based download sites, such as Napster, tracks downloaded from eMusic will not be deleted if a customer cancels their subscription. - BBC

http://www.emusic.com/