The Rupert Murdoch owned MySpace announced on Friday that it would move into the download space by offering the estimated 3 million unsigned bands signed up to the platform's music service the facility to sell their songs via their MySpace artist pages.
Songs will initially be sold in the non-DRM protected MP3 format, meaning they will be compatible with Apple's iPod. However, the move is very much a first step in a bid to take on iTunes in the wider download space - which presumably means MySpace will have to also start selling the kind of (non iPod-compatible) DRM protected files that major labels still insist on. Reports suggest MySpace are already in negotiations with the major record companies regarding a wider download service, and in particular EMI, though those reports are yet to be confirmed by either side.
Announcing the plan, MySpace co-founder Chris DeWolfe (hang on a second, where's Tom? And he said he was my friend...) told Reuters: "The goal is to be one of the biggest digital music stores out there. Everyone we've spoken to definitely wants an alternative to iTunes and the iPod. MySpace could be that alternative."
The e-commerce side of MySpace's download service will be managed by Snocap, the digital music company launched by the original Napster founder Shawn Fanning. Bands will be able to decide for themselves what they charge for their music, over and above the "small distribution fee" that MySpace will charge.