Amazon today announced the launch of Amazon AutoRip, a new service that gives its customers free MP3 versions of CDs they purchase from Amazon.

When Amazon's customers purchase AutoRip CDs, the MP3 versions are automatically added to their Cloud Player libraries, where they are available, free of charge, for immediate playback or download. Additionally, customers who have purchased AutoRip CDs at any time since Amazon first opened its Music Store in 1998 will find MP3 versions of those albums in their Cloud Player libraries - also automatically and for free. More than 50,000 albums, including titles from every major record label, are available for AutoRip, and more titles are added all the time - Amazon's customers can just look for the AutoRip logo.

Albums include "21" by Adele; "Overexposed" by Maroon 5; "Dark Side of the Moon" by Pink Floyd and "Thriller" by Michael Jackson.

"What would you say if you bought music CDs from a company 15 years ago, and then 15 years later that company licensed the rights from the record companies to give you the MP3 versions of those CDs and then to top it off, did that for you automatically and for free?" said Jeff Bezos, Amazon.com Founder and CEO. "Well, starting today, it's available to all of our customers - past, present, and future - at no cost. We love these opportunities to do something unexpected for our customers."

Amazon is hoping the new service boosts digital music sales and encourages more people to use its cloud music service.