Universal Music Group (UMG) has announced it is to experiment with making digital rights management (DRM) free tracks available for download.
Albums and individual tracks by artists such as Gwen Stefani, Prince, 50 Cent and Elvis Costello will be available in mp3 format - which can be played on a range of media players including the iPod - without the protection of DRM between August and January.
UMG will then analyse sales patterns and piracy issues before deciding whether to continue offering DRM free downloads.
Doug Morris, chairman of UMG, said the experiment is part of the company's commitment to expanding the availability of its artists' output online.
He added: "This test … will provide valuable insights into the implications of selling our music in an open format."
The DRM free tracks will be available from a wide range of online stores and from artist specific websites, but not from iTunes.
EMI announced in May that it was making its entire back catalogue available for download DRM free via Apple's iTunes Plus service.
© 2007 Adfero Ltd
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