Apple sells three billion songs

iTunes takes just six months to sell one billion tunes

Apple has announced that the iTunes music store has just sold its three billionth song.

The figure was based on data from market research firm, NPD Group’s Music Watch survey where 12 tracks sold were counted as the equivalent to a CD album.

The milestone was reached just six months after Apple announced that iTunes sales had topped two billion. It took iTunes, which launched in April 2003, just under three years to hit its first billion sales.

The success of the download service can be attributed to the success of the iPod players, which have sold more than 100 million units since their launch in October 2001. 

iTunes is now the third biggest music retailer in the US behind retail giants Wal-Mart and Best Buy.

iTunes might be celebrating big sales but Eminem wants his cut. The rapper’s music labels have sued Apple, alleging copyright violations by allowing downloads of his songs onto iPods.

Music publisher, Eight Mile Style LLC, and copyright manager, Martin Affiliated LLC, are seeking more than $75,000 for the alleged copyright violation and up to $150,000 in damages per download infringement. There are 70-80 songs being contested which could, if successful, result in a multi-million dollar payday for the controversial rapper.