Bowie signs deal with MP3.com

Pop superstar David Bowie has signed a deal to allow fans to store and listen to his songs online using MP3.com's controversial My.MP3.com service.

Fans can listen to Bowie's entire music catalogue online as long as they already own the CDs on which the tracks appear.

The rock legend said: "It's an amazing testament to the internet that MP3.com technology allows someone to have their record collection at their fingertips wherever they are in the world. The days of travelling with CDs in hand are beginning to grow short."

The deal is the latest in a string of settlements between MP3.com and the big five record companies in the US which had sued the file swapping service for alleged copyright infringement in allowing users to store their CDs online. In the most recent case, MP3.com agreed a $54.3m settlement with Universal Music Group.

Bowie is one of a few artists who owns the copyright to some of his work and was not, therefore, covered by the previous settlements. He is represented by Virgin Music Group.

Users who sign up for an account with MP3.com for their Bowie CDs will also get a live version of the Ziggy Stardust album and access to two live recordings from the star's latest album, Bowie at the Beeb.