Play.com offers UK users DRM-free MP3 music files from 65p

The Play.com web site has startedoffering high quality (320kbps) MP3 music downloads at prices from 65p,with about a million tracks from EMI and independent music labels. Thefiles don't have DRM (digital rights management) copy protection and sowill play on almost any music player, mobile phone or personal computer.

Apple is already offering EMI tracks without DRM, but in the AACformat, which not all devices support. Also, while Play.com's pricesvary (many tracks cost 70p), a spokesman said: "we're going to becheaper than [Apple's] iTunes. Whatever price iTunes goes down to,we'll be looking to go lower."

The EU has told Apple to standardise its prices across Europe, and itis thought it might cut UK track prices from 79p to 66p or so.

Play.com is also expected to face competition from Amazon.com, which isalready undercutting Apple on price, and is offering a large DRM-freemusic library in the US. It is expected to launch the service in the UKthis year.

And unlike Play.com, Amazon has already signed up all four music majors -- Universal, Sony BMG, Warner Music Group and EMI.

Play.com says it is talking to the other three, "and if one or more hadbeen quicker we might have held off the launch. We think that withinthe year, the others will be on board."

In the UK, eMusichas also been offering DRM-free tracks from smaller labels for morethan a year, but Play.com says it's not trying to compete with morespecialist music sites. Its core business is selling CDs and computergames, but it also sells books, gadgets, phones and clothing. "We seeourselves as an e-tailer, and we're really pleased to have trumpedAmazon"