EMI licenses music to Mashboxx

Robbie Williams is one of EMI's artists

Record company EMI Music has announced plans to license its entire US digital catalogue to a file-sharing network.

Music fans will be able to try-out and then buy music from EMI artists on legal peer-to-peer service Mashboxx, which is currently in development.

Mashboxx, founded by former Grokster CEO Wayne Rosso, will allow customers to search for music on existing file-sharing networks.

The download company has already signed a licensing agreement with Sony BMG.

The launch date for Mashboxx is not yet known.

Potential revenue

David Munns, chairman and CEO of EMI Music North America, said: "When it rolls out, Mashboxx will be a no-obligation way for fans to really immerse themselves in discovering music, turning their friends on to what they like and getting excited about artists and music they've not yet heard.

"It has the potential to be a very good revenue stream for those who make their living from creating and investing in music."

EMI Music also plans to offer tracks from its international catalogue, when Mashboxx eventually rolls out.

Its artists include Robbie Williams, Coldplay, Radiohead and Gorillaz.

Last week, file-sharing site Kazaa announced it was becoming legitimate and agreed to pay music companies $100m (£53m) after a series of legal wrangles.

The music industry said they believed the "writing is now on the wall" for illegal file-sharing companies.