eMusic goes head-to-head with iTunes in pan-EU launch

http://img.hexus.net/v2/lifestyle/logos/emusic_logo.gif

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US-based music-download operator eMusic, the claimed world No.2, is launching its service today right across the EU. It's offering a catalogue of 1.7 million tracks in MP3 format that should work on all portable music players, including iPods.

However, in contrast with Apple's market-leading iTunes Music Store, eMusic sells monthly subscriptions, rather than individual tracks, albums or album collections.

On the plus side, the company says that its "high audio quality" (192K VBR bit rate) MP3s allow consumers to burn CDs, transfer music to MP3 players and make as many copies of songs or albums as they like for personal use.

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Personally, I think it sounds like a great idea; I hope that it succeeds, since it seems to provide value for money AND ease of use comparable to buying a CD. I'd imagine that the files will have some form of "DRM-lite", in the form of digital watermarking or what have you, but I have no problem with that. Having had a quick look, it seems a good place to indulge my 4AD fetish, which is nice...

e-music has the idea behind them that there customers are not criminals and don't need to be forced into a corner to stop them from.e-music has the support of me but it doesn't have the support of the major labels witch my be its hinderance

Good for them. Don't really listen to enough music to make it worth while, but I'd buy from them before anyone with DRM.