London - U.K. media retailer HMV said this week it will begin selling DRM-free MP3 downloads in September, including major label EMI's catalog and tracks from independent labels.

Pricing for 328 Kbps songs will start at $1.58.

"Music fans increasingly expect versatility and interoperability in the way they consume music, and we feel the time is right to acknowledge and act on this expectation," said HMV e-commerce director Gideon Lask.

The company expects 20% of U.K. sales to come from its website by 2010.

HMV has also partnered with wireless carrier 3 UK to provide mobile content, and with Universal Music and 20th Century Fox, who will provide content for an online social network "for music, film and games enthusiasts, providing revenue streams from advertising, sponsorship and paid-for content."

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