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The site offers a legal way for users to download free music, and currently carries around 770,000 songs and 3,500 music videos from numerous independent labels and Universal, the world's largest record label.

The tie-up with Universal means customers can freely download music by Amy Winehouse, U2, Coldplay, Snoop Dogg, or any other artist on the Universal roster. SpiralFrog says it intends to make more than 2 million tracks available within the next few months.

Songs can be downloaded to any music device that supports Windows DRM and transferred to a further two devices, but they can't be burnt to CD and they can't be played on an iPod, which could alienate iTunes customers.

SpiralFrog works by displaying online banners and other advertising on the site, the

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revenue from which is split with the labels and publishers supplying the music.

Customers must live in the US or Canada, and must also re-register with the site every month and supply information on their buying habits.

Coming to the UK?

Those in the UK wishing to try the service may be waiting a while. "We do not have a timeline as of now for the UK," says a company spokesperson. "Securing the proper agreements from music owners takes a significant amount of time."

"Offering young consumers an easy-to-use alternative to pirated music sites will be compelling," says Robin Kent, former SpiralFrog CEO in a statement.

"SpiralFrog will offer those consumers a better experience and environment than they can get from any pirate site. Piracy continues to be one of the biggest issues facing the music industry where illegal file sharing and unauthorised CD burning are the prime means of music piracy. Digital rights protection will help us combat piracy and provide peace of mind for the record labels and the artists."

"This is the core audience [13-34] we will attract by building a music-centric experience and destination that is second to none, legally delivering what the majority of users want: content they pay for only with their time. It's content that advertisers are willing to pay for on their behalf."