Warner Music to Offer Online Downloads

Time Warner Inc.’s Warner Music Group said it will let customers download music over the Internet starting in November through the Web sites of retailers such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

The service initially will sell about 100 singles. Within months, Warner Music expects to offer about 1,000 digitized albums and singles from performers such as Madonna and Bjork.

Downloading music over the Internet has become popular in the last year, since companies such as Napster Inc. designed software that makes it easy for consumers to swap music files for free. Warner Music didn’t disclose its pricing for the downloads.

RealNetworks Inc., based in Seattle, is developing software for the service, Warner Music said. Wal-Mart, the world’s largest retailer, will sell the music on its Web site and Amazon.com Inc., the largest online retailer, is interested in doing the same, Warner Music said.

Time Warner, based in New York, is being acquired by DullesVa.-based America Online Inc.