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Sony Music Entertainment has struck a deal with eMusic to sell songs from Sony Music's back catalog on the eMusic website.

Sony Music is the first of the four major labels to reach an agreement with eMusic to sell songs.

Beginning in the third quarter, eMusic will offer its U.S. subscribers classic recordings from all Sony Music labels, such as Arista, Columbia, Epic, Jive, LaFace and RCA. Artists include Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, The Clash, Leonard Cohen and Outkast.

Daniel C. Stein

The agreement covers music that is two years old or more. Additional terms of the deal were not released.

eMusic subscribers pay $11.99 a month for its basic plan to download 30 songs or a about 40 cents a song, well below prices on iTunes. Songs are in the MP3 format and are free from copying restrictions.

Danny Stein, CEO of eMusic, said he has been in talks with the major labels about adding their music for a number of years. Talks are ongoing with Warner Music, Universal Music Group and EMI. He said many of the independent labels have been asking the company to raise its prices.

"We are excited to bring Sony Music's vast catalog of music to eMusic's customers," said Danny Stein, eMusic CEO and Chairman.

"First and foremost, eMusic is about a quality customer experience. We are eager to bring eMusic's in-depth approach and curatorial excellence to these incredible recordings -- as we have done for independent labels for the last 10 years."