Sony has licensed its music for distribution on a peer-to-peer (P2P) network it has set up, which promises users unlimited downloads and the ability to swap files among themselves.

Users of the network, called Playlouder MSP (PLMSP), get the package as part of a broadband subscription costing £26.99 per month. Sony then takes a proportion of this and distributes it to the music's copyright holders.

"What I like about PLMSP's service is that it retains the sense of community and spontaneity that makes P2P and super distribution so attractive to consumers, while ensuring that this activity takes place within a framework in which the music can be tracked and rights owners get paid," commented Clive Rich, SVP Futures division at Sony BMG.

The music is encoded using a special algorithm that ensures sound quality is maintained, but stops the music being shared with non-PLMSP members.

Artists included in the licence deal include Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie, George Michael, Oasis, The Clash and Elvis Presley. Independent musicians are also available after the network signed a deal with the Association of Independent Music (AIM) in November 2004.

The British Phonographic Industry (BPI), which is currently prosecuting file sharers, has come out in favour of the new network.

BPI Chairman Peter Jamieson said: "Ensuring record companies are adequately and reliably recompensed for the use of their copyrights on the internet is the number one issue for our business. The BPI welcomes the innovative thinking that has gone into the creation of PlayLouder MSP and we give it our full support."