Play.com to open MP3 store in the UK

Retailer Play.com is planning to open its own digital music store which will sell DRM-free tracks for between 65 and 70 pence.

Play.com claims to be the third most popular online retailer in the region, with about seven million users.

Only one major label has signed on so far, EMI. However, Play.com has attracted fairly substantial independent support allowing it to offer about one million tracks. Being that the tracks will be in .MP3 format, iPod users will be able to play tracks as well.

iTunes also offers EMI artists without DRM through its Plus option, however the format used is unprotected AAC -- which not all players support. Additionally, iTunes Plus is quite far behind Amazon's DRM-free store, which has deals with all four major labels.

In the Store, called PlayDigital, the average price of a song is around 70 pence, or $1.37 USD. Top sellers will be reduced to 65 pence. This total offering is cheaper than that of iTunes, which currently vends tracks at 79 pence.

Albums are offered for £4.95.

Source