Apple in Talks for Free iTunes Song Backups, Multiple Devices

Users of iTunes software may soon be able to use one account to download multiple copies of songs to various Apple devices they own, if a talks on the matter yield some results.

Three people with knowledge of Apple's plans told Bloomberg in a report published Saturday that the maker of iTunes software is negotiating with record companies to let users download a copy of a song as many times as they wanted to on the same account to multiple Apple devices.

The companies include Vivendi, Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group, and EMI Group, according to the report.

iTunes customers would in effect, have a permanent backup of music purchases in case any of them were lost or damaged, the report said.

Devices on the accepted list would include iPad, iPod, and iPhone devices connected to one iTunes account, the report said.