Stelios to offer cheap music downloads

Easygroup entrepreneur Stelios Haji-Ioannou is to enter the online music foray with a low-cost service powered by UK download site Wippit. Called easyMusic, the service will launch in time for Christmas with music from unsigned artists, as well as the latest chart hits. Wippit has a catalogue from more than 200 record labels, with artists including Natasha Beddingfield, Robbie Williams, Franz Ferdinand and David Bowie. The Copyright section of easyMusic will offer current hits and back catalogue tracks starting at 25p a song. A second section, called Copyleft, will include music from unknown artists, including tracks that can be downloaded for free. According to Stelios, this means musicians will be free to promote their music to an expanded audience without the constraints of a recording contract. Stelios said: "The agreement with Wippit means that easyMusic.com will cater to an even greater range of consumers' musical tastes. easyMusic will offer free or best value music downloads to consumers in all countries." Paul Myers, founder of Wippit said: "This is a spectacular opportunity for Wippit and we're proud that Stelios has chosen Wippit to wear the famous colours of easyMusic. Their ideals are parallel to ours and we believe that easyMusic will be a first stop destination for music fans seeking a no nonsense service". Earlier this week, the Consumers' Association called for an investigation into the pricing of tracks from Apple's iTunes service. It believes UK consumers are unfairly charged compared to their French and German counterparts.