Universal Music is going to start trails of selling DRM-free music through selected online outlets. Between August and January 2008, retailers such as Google and Wal-Mart will be selling tracks from the major that have none of the copy protection that the label has insisted upon until now.

But Apple's online iTunes Music Store will not be included in the trial. Obviously, the majors are wary of Steve Jobs' company, who have gobbled up a huge segment of the market away from themselves.

Unlike EMI's DRM-free downloads, it is rumoured that Universal will be charging the same for DRM-free downloads as those with. There is also no comment as to whether the DRM-free will be of increased quality, as EMI's are.