According to the AP, search giant Yahoo is planning to launch a new online music service that might go one of two ways; either the unprotected mp3 audio tracks will be sold like any other service, or (if we are lucky) the songs could be free for users thanks to an ad-supported system. Yahoo has mentioned in the past their interest in this market, but spokeswoman Carrie Davis denied that during the past weeks talks with record labels have intensified.

A free online music service, wouldn’t it be great? I would definitely not mind an ad or two in exchange for free unprotected mp3s. Yet, here’s something to think about. Would there be piracy if people could legally download free songs?