Unprotected Music Downloads Now at Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. began selling music downloads that lack copyright-protection software at a price lower than that offered by Apple Inc.'s iTunes online store.

Downloads are available from record companies including Universal Music Group and EMI Group Plc for 94 cents a song and $9.22 an album, Bentonville, Ark.-based Wal-Mart said yesterday in a statement. The downloads work on most digital players, including Apple's iPod and Microsoft Corp.'s Zune, Wal-Mart said.

Wal-Mart's manager of digital media, Kevin Swint, said the company is in talks with Sony BMG Music Entertainment and Warner Music Group Corp. as well as other record companies to offer their products in the same unprotected format.

"I would describe the discussions as positive and open-minded about the possibilities here," Mr. Swint said in an interview. He said the first day of offerings has produced "a pretty strong response so far."

Tom Neumayr, an Apple spokesman, declined comment.