EMI Recorded Music has expanded its online music distribution program to offer more CD burning options and "permanent" song downloads that can be transported to some portable devices. In the past, EMI's online music selection — sold through distributors such as MusicNet, pressplay and Listen.com's Rhapsody service — was somewhat restricted in that the music only could be heard as long as the service subscription was active or as streamed audio content tethered to the desktop.

Beginning Dec. 1, online music buyers will be able to burn songs from EMI's catalog up to three times to blank CDs, or transfer them to a limited number of portable digital music players that can play the files, it was announced Wednesday. However, the songs contain digital rights management, a copy protection scheme designed to cut down on unauthorized duplications.

EMI has agreements with Alliance Entertainment Corp., Ecast, FullAudio Corp., Liquid Audio, Listen.com's Rhapsody, MusicNet, pressplay, Roxio and Streamwaves for music distribution online.