Techotic

7digital.com has signed a surprise deal with Warner Brothers Music for free distribution of its extensive music catalogue including major artists such as the Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Madonna and many other household names.

The site will now be able to offer downloader’s in Germany, France, Spain, Ireland and the UK free access to single tracks and whole albums of music free from Digital Rights Management (DRM) systems.

The downloaded MP3 music files may then be played on any music device including the Apple iPod. Warner Brothers last year signed a deal with huge online book and music retailer Amazon to distribute its tracks on Mp3, that service is only available to residents of the US. It is strongly believed that the service will shortly be extended to other markets via Amazons network of sites.

Music downloading is dominated by iTunes from Apple, which uses its proprietary system that only allows the music to be played on Apple branded players like the iPod.

Music downloaded from 7digital.com can be put onto a CD, and then moved back onto the hard drive ready for transfer to any music player. Warner’s have also done some experimenting into DRM-free music services, and in 2007 launched an iTunes plus service that features its EMI back catalog.

7Digital.com also has the same EMI music back catalog available and is said to be in advanced negotiations with Universal and Sony BMG. If these deals work out 7Digital.com would have all the big four music libraries available for download.