Computer company Apple is negotiating with record labels to launch its iTunes online music download service in Europe by the end of the year following the venture's much-hyped US debut.

Apple launched iTunes in the US two weeks ago. It has got off to a strong start with more than 1m songs downloaded in its first week.

Apple and its chief executive Steve Jobs now want to show it can solve the problems facing record companies in Europe too. The secret of Mr Jobs' success is partly to do with Apple's cachet, its reputation for good design and for championing consumers rather than corporations.

It is also to do with the simplicity of the transaction. Songs cost 99 cents to download, and the company has developed software that allows users to "burn" an unlimited number of tracks on to a CD or transfer them to the Apple iPod portable music player.

A list of this week's leading downloads through iTunes in the US suggests British record company EMI could profit from the system. Two of its acts - Coldplay and Norah Jones - are among the most popular.

At present the service is only available to owners of Apple computers but the company is planning a Windows version for PCs before the end of the year.

Record industry insiders said they were impressed by the early success of iTunes but cautioned that launching in Europe would not be easy.

Full Article:
The Guardian