Tune duo cue Web service

Service to incorporate over 700,000 music tracks

By PHIL GALLO

MusicNet and Richard Branson's Virgin Digital have joined forces to integrate and promote a digital download store and subscription music club.

The global service will incorporate more than 700,000 music tracks, offering tunes a la carte or through a subscription fee. Each option will be available on the Internet, in retail stores and on mobile phones and consumer electronics devices.

"We're going to redefine the way that our customers relate to their music," said Branson, founder of the Virgin Group of companies.

MusicNet is headquartered in New York and its shareholders include Bertelsmann, EMI, RealNetworks, Sony Music and Time Warner.