FullAudio to Go With Microsoft Technology

Online music distributor FullAudio has chosen Microsoft’s digital-music format and encryption technology for its forthcoming song-rental service. FullAudio’s service, which offers downloadable songs from Universal and EMI for a monthly fee, is expected to start rolling out in March on the Web sites of 30 Clear Channel radio stations, including KBIG and KIIS in Los Angeles.

Initially, the rented songs will play only on the subscriber’s computer, but portable devices are expected this year that will be compatible with the service. Prices and other terms of the service, which will compete with ventures owned by the major record companies, have not been announced.

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Jon Healey