Rhapsody Unveils Copyright Free Online Download Store

Rhapsody has unveiled a new online music store that allows users to download music which is free of copyright protection.

The new store has received the backing of the world's four major record labels – Universal, Warner, EMI and SonyBMG.

Until now the company had only allowed its subscribers to stream songs for a set fee each month.

In a statement, Rhapsody, which is owned by MTV, said they were no longer compete with the iPod. “We're embracing it," explained Neil Smith, the company's vice president.

Both Amazon and Napster also recently unveiled online music stores that sell DRM-Free MP3s - a technology which prevents music from being compatible with certain devices.