Nokia has stopped selling subscriptions to its Ovi Music Unlimited service in some countries since the beginning of 2011, while the service continues in a number of others.

The change is not universal. Nokia will continue to offer 12-month subscriptions in China and India, while offering six-month subscriptions in Brazil, Turkey and South Africa.

Nokia said that its existing customers will have uninterrupted access to the music library until their subscriptions finish and that these customers will be able to keep their music downloads forever. Existing customers are still able to buy DRM free songs through the catalogue on Nokia' s Ovi Music Store.

"This is part of preparations to deliver new, innovative music experiences as part of Ovi during 2011. This comes in response to customer feedback and promises to deliver better, more locally relevant experiences. However, the new deals and other arrangements necessary for this to happen meant that old ones needed to be ended. We?ll release more details on these new services as they are announced," Nokia said in a statement.

Ovi Music - Nokia's DRM-free, a-la-carte music store - is not affected by these changes, Nokia added.

All four major labels -- Universal Music, EMI, Warner Music Group and the music arm of Sony -- had signed up for Nokia's Ovi Music Unlimited service, which was seen at start as a major challenger for Apple's iTunes. The service was unveiled n late 2008 in Britain.