Amazon.com unveils DRM-free MP3s

Amazon.com is launching a digital-music store later this year that will offer millions of songs without Digital Rights Management copy protection in MP3 format from more than 12,000 record labels including EMI Music's digital.

The announcement from the company comes after Apple's iTunes debuted its DRM-free music download offerings in response to consumers' frustration with not being able to play downloaded songs on multiple devices. Apple also has a partnership with EMI for its DRM-free catalog.

Every song and album in the Amazon.com digital music store will be available exclusively in the MP3 format without DRM software.

DRM-free songs can be played many devices, including PCs, Macs, iPods, Zunes and Zens.