So far, however, EMI Music Japan is the only major to sign up.

McClure's Asia Music News reports, "Most Japanese record companies refuse to make their product available digitally without DRM. That's why Japan is the only country where the iTunes Music Store uses Apple's FairPlay DRM system."

It adds that prices of tracks on the Amazon service vary greatly, with album prices ranging from £700 (?5.27) to £1,500 (?11.30). Single tracks retail for £150 (?1.13).

Napster closed its offering ...