Sony BMG to launch music subscription service

'The simplest option would be a flat rate under which a monthly payment would provide access to our entire music catalogue for all digital players, including Apple's Ipod,' he added.

'It is even possible that clients could conserve some songs indefinitely, that they would own them even after the subscription expired,' he said.

Typical subscription fees could run from six to eight eur, he suggested.

The project could get off the ground this year, Schmidt-Holtz said, adding that his company was in talks with other major music distributors on the subject.

Cooperation agreements with mobile telephone manufacturers is also possible, he added.