British download store to "take on iTunes"

7digital thinks it is hard enough

13 June 2007 16:27 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

Plucky British download website 7digital is going to take on iTunes following its re-launch next week, the BBC reports.

The download site is hoping to entice iTunes customers over by promising improved ease of use and cheaper tracks.

Some tracks will only cost 50p, many will be available DRM-free and the store guarantees they will not embed any user identifying info in downloaded songs.

iTunes has an 80% share of the digital download market and has sold an amazing 2.5 billion songs since it launched.

The songs available on 7digital will come from EMI, and a wide range of independent music labels.

7digital do have one trick up their sleeves – they are offering a free "digital locker" for everyone who signs up to the site.

Users can use this locker to store all their purchased tracks in, which can be accessed from any web browser without an authorization process, and they can stream those tracks anytime, anywhere for no extra cost.

7digital re-launches next Tuesday.