Universal Music Group, the largest recording company in the world has knocked a deal with Virgin Media in which the company would offer its catalog on Virgin Media's upcoming unlimited download service in return for the U.K.'s broadband provider, Virgin Media approving to hang service to those who download tunes illicitly.

The most distinguishing feature of the service is its being free from copy protection. The cost of the service, which will most likely start by the end of the year, is yet to unveiled.

Virgin Media will play its part by taking steps to reduce piracy on its network.

According to industry estimates, pirated tracks account for 95 % of online music.

The company said the measures would incorporate provisional suspensions of wrongdoer's internet connections

Virgin plans to employ education programs to dampen online piracy and to egg on consumers to download music with authorization.

Speaking on the issue, Neil Berkett, Virgin chief executive said, "In terms of both convenience and value, our new music service will be superior to anything that's available online today and provides a fair deal for both consumers and artists."

It should be noted here that the British govt. too welcomed the agreement between Universal and Virgin Media.