Warner Take Bite Out Of Apple's MP3 Domination

A new deal between the Warner Music Group and the digital-download website 7digital looks set to threaten the dominance of Apple’s iTunes service.

The deal allows people in some European countries to download music by Warner artists such as Madonna free of copyright protection.

The DRM-free MP3s can then be played on nearly all portable music devices, including Apple’s iPods.

The deal is expected to put pressure on Apple to offer music that’s also free of copyright protection via their iTunes service.

Currently, Apple only offers a limited selection of DRM-free music through iTunes Plus.

7digital, who already have a deal with EMI music, are also understood to be in talks to offer DRM-free downloads by SonyBMG and Universal artists.