Roxio's Napster 2.0 legal online music service went live in the U.K. today at www.napster.co.uk.

The official launch follows completion of agreements in the UK with all five major record companies (BMG, EMI, Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music International and Warner Music International) as well as independent labels body AIM.

A gala media bash headlined by the Buzzcocks will be held at the Borderline in London tonight to mark the service's U.K. debut.

The company also recently announced an exclusive, multi-year partnership with Europe's leading consumer electronics goods retailer, Dixons Group plc, which kicks off a major Napster 2.0 promotion throughout all 1,100 Dixons, PC World, Currys and The Link stores in the U.K. on May 21.

Roxio/Napster Chairman/CEO Chris Gorog said he hadn't been this excited since he got Shawn Fanning to sign his butt: "Napster is very pleased to bring the biggest name in online music to the biggest market in Europe. The U.K. has made enormous contributions to popular music and, indeed, Napster's incredible catalogue, so it's great to share the excitement of the new legal version of the legendary Napster with all the music fans in the U.K."

Added Napster President Brad Duea, clearly overcome by the occasion, or perhaps one too many servings of fish and chips, said: "The U.K. will quickly discover why PC Magazine calls Napster 2.0 'the best online music service. U.K. music fans can now download Napster 2.0 and enjoy the most exciting, comprehensive and immersive music experience available."

Napster UK GM Leanne Sharman, no relation to Sharman Networks of Kazaa infamy, added: "Napster is a fantastic brand to launch in the U.K. and by carefully tailoring the service to the local market we have an unparalleled proposition for U.K. music fans."

Napster's partnerships enable fans to enjoy music in the living room via Microsoft's Windows XP Media Center, or with the Samsung Napster digital audio player as well as 60 other WMA with DRM compatible devices. These compatible devices include players from Samsung, Rio, Creative and Dell which enable users to drag and drop tracks to their portable device without leaving the Napster application.

Additionally, Napster is working with Intel to co-promote the benefits of the Napster service running on Intel-based PCs. Napster-branded CD-Rs are produced by Imation, the worldwide leader in removable data storage media. Napster-branded CD wallets are manufactured for Napster by Case Logic, the leading supplier of soft storage, protection and organisation solutions for personal technology. CD labelling kits featuring a special Napster offer are made by Fellowes, the worldwide leader in mobile, computer, and consumer electronics accessories.