Social-networking giant MySpace will open its long-promised music store later this month, allowing fans to download and stream millions of songs — including new music and back catalog — from three of the four major labels. In an attempt to differentiate themselves from the two leading digital-music retailers — Apple’s iTunes and Amazon’s MP3 Store — MySpace Music will let fans share music through their pages and build communal playlists, as well as purchase merchandise and tickets. “It’s not the same kind of listening you do with iTunes,” says the site’s co-founder Tom Anderson. “It’s about sharing songs with your friends and checking out what they are listening to.” Songs will be available as unprotected MP3s, and prices will be competitive with other services.

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