Universal is gearing up for the online sale of DRM-free music files and could be using Amazon's planned music store as a launch pad, reports Billboard.

EMI recently unveiled DRM-free music through Apple's iTunes. Amazon's planned music store would use unprotected MP3's, a move not warmly welcomed by music labels. The move was made after Microsoft, whom it had been working with, decided to launch its Zune walled garden.

Universal Music could include its classical music catalog in the Amazon test. Amazon has reportedlly held talks with major and indie labels over pricing issues, especially in regards to what sort of tiered pricing might be acceptable for various levels of file quality.