Last.fm Launches Free Music ServiceLast.fm Launches Free Music Service

Last.fm is allowing users to stream music from the four major record labels for free.

The Web site recently announced that tracks from EMI, Sony BMG, Universal, Warner, as well as 150,000 independent artists and labels are available online for free in the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany.

A beta testing period allows users to listen to each track three times on demand before receiving notices about subscription services.

Last.fm has obtained licenses with groups that collect and disburse royalties. Now, the Web site will also allow unsigned artists to collect royalties for each time their songs are played on Last.fm. Participation is free for artists, who receive shares of ad revenue.

"Free full-length tracks are obviously great news for listeners, but also great for artists and labels, who get paid every time someone streams a song," Last.fm's Richard Jones said recently on his blog. "Music on Last.fm is perpetually monetized. This is good because artists get paid based on how popular a song is with their fans, instead of a fixed amount."

The Web site allows users to create profiles, listen to music on demand, rank their favorite music, find others who share their taste in music, find new music, create personalized "radio stations" and find out what their friends listen to.

The basic subscription fee is about $5 monthly. Information about unlimited listening subscriptions has not yet been released.

Last.fm said it will continue selling its basic subscription after the unlimited service moves out of beta.