Virgin, Universal Music offer download subscription service

Virgin Media and Universal Music are to launch an unlimited digital music download subscription service. The service will enable Virgin Media broadband customer to both stream and download as many music tracks and albums as they want from Universal Music's entire catalog, for a monthly subscription fee. Downloaded music can be permanently saved and stored on any MP3 compatible device. An entry-level offer will also be available for customers who download music regularly, but may not want an unlimited service. The service is intended to launch later this year. Virgin Media is negotiating with other UK major and independent music labels and publishers to ensure it can offer a complete catalog by the time it launches. In parallel, the two companies will be working together to protect Universal Music's intellectual property and drive a material reduction in the unauthorised distribution of its repertoire across Virgin Media's network. This will involve implementing a range of different strategies to educate file sharers about online piracy and to raise awareness of legal alternatives. They include, as a last resort for persistent offenders, a temporary suspension of internet access. No customers will be permanently disconnected and the process will not depend on network monitoring or interception of customer traffic by Virgin Media.