Real Networks will launch a Linux version of its Real media player by December, enabling users to play audio and video files in the Windows Media format.

The company's Helix player for Linux currently supports Windows Media, but the upcoming Real Player has more advanced features, Jeff Duchmann, general manager for client and DRM technologies at Real Networks, told vnunet.com. 

The application supports the burning of CDs and allows users to synchronise media files between a computer and a mobile device.

The Linux version of the application will increase the appeal of Linux on the desktop for consumers and enterprises, which increasingly use media for training and corporate communications, argued Duchmann.

"We are making this a desktop that consumers and enterprises can use for all their media needs," he said.

Windows Media codecs have been made available for Linux, but the legality of these offerings is open to debate.

The Linux Real player will only play Windows Media files without DRM technology, excluding media purchased from online music stores such as Napster.

Real also unveiled an agreement with Novell for the bundling of its media player with the SuSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 operating system.