Universal is currently undergoing a test to combat privacy in allowing music fans to download five tracks a week for free as long as the customers sit to watch adverts. Customers have the option to choose what company advert they want to watch. The tracks are legal and high quality format. The advertising revenue earned will fund the artists and labels in much the same way as paid downloads. FreeAllMusic CEO Richard Nailling says, “For the first time, a legitimate free music download service is making ‘doing the right thing’ easier than piracy. Our site is fast, easy and fun for consumers.” The service is currently only available to US customers and thousands of tracks have now been put on the site for registered users to access.

Meanwhile, Universal has reportedly filed a lawsuit against steaming site Grooveshark, claiming it is hosting illegal copies of songs from UMG’s catalogue.