Social networking site MySpace is to incorporate audio fingerprinting technology from Gracenote in an effort to stem the flow of copyrighted materials posted by its users. 

Online services such as MySpace are under increasing pressure from copyright holders to stop the flow of unauthorised material. 

Universal Music sued media-sharing sites Bolt and Grouper two weeks ago for copyright infringement. 

California-based Gracenote specialises in categorising and organising digital music. The company will use its MusicID software and Global Media Database to check music files uploaded by MySpace users for copyright violations.

"MySpace is staunchly committed to protecting artists' rights. This is another important step to ensure that artists control the content they create," said MySpace chief executive and co-founder Chris DeWolfe.

MusicID analyses the waveforms in songs and can identify tracks or albums regardless of file source, format or tag information.

The songs can then be cross-referenced with the Global Music Database, allowing MySpace to filter copyrighted material when uploaded by its users.

In September, Universal Music accused MySpace and video sharing site YouTube of being "copyright infringers".

Media conglomerate News Corporation acquired MySpace in July 2005 for $580m. Google bought YouTube earlier this month for $1.65bn.