Several online music retailers have begun a scheme to inform consumers about the MP3 digital file format.

A new 'MP3 Compatible' logo has been launched to show surfers which music downloads will play on all types of digital music player.

7digital.com, Digitalstores.co.uk, HMV.com, Play.com, Tescodigital.com, Tunetribe.com and Woolworthsdownload.co.uk are the seven websites signed up to the scheme, which was devised by the Entertainment Retailers Association (ERA).

MP3 is the most commonly used format for digital music, though any tracks bought from Apple's iTunes store – still the most popular site for buying digital music – come in the AAC format.

This format is compatible with iPods but not with other digital music players.

"The beauty of an MP3 file is that once you have bought it, you don't need to be a computer genius or a lawyer to make it work and you are not locked in to a relationship with a single retailer or hardware manufacturer," said 7digital.com chief executive Ben Drury.

Wendy Snowdon, head of PlayDigital, said: "It makes sense for customers to buy MP3. Not only can they use the MP3 format on any music device but it's often cheaper to buy this universally compatible music than it is to buy restricted music from non-MP3 retailers. It's an easy choice."

The scheme was welcomed by the British Phonographic Industry, which looks after the rights of musicians and copyright holders in the UK.

Geoff Taylor, BPI's chief executive, said: "This logo will not only help give consumers confidence that the music files they are buying will play on a wide range of devices, but will also help them know that they are legal and that artists are getting paid," Taylor continued.

www.eraltd.org

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