Apple's iTunes, the mp3-playing software and download facility, has announced that it is to remove digital rights management (DRM) protection from nearly all of its catalogue of songs.

The move is believed to be in response to the changing face of the market, allowing users of mobile phones - notably the iPhone - to download songs over a 3G connection.

Digital rights management meant that originally, downloaded tracks from iTunes could only be played on Apple's range of iPods.

Labels which have been announced as downloadable with the newly-removed DRM protection include Universal Music Group, EMI, Warner Music Group and Sony BMG.

Variable pricing has also been introduced by the company, meaning that British users can now get their desired songs for one of three prices: 59p, 79p or 99p.

According to Sam Costello of About.com, iTunes began as a program called SoundJam MP before being bought out by Apple in 2000 using the original script as the basis for the new system.

A recent Connect survey found that the two major concerns about outsourcing services like IT support were 'loss of control' (56 per cent) and 'budget over-runs' (43 per cent).