EMI is preparing to launch a music service by the end of the year, representing the latest direct-to-consumer business being planned by a major label.  "This is not an effort to compete with iTunes or Amazon," said a source familiar with the situation. The service may live on EMI.com, which is dedicated to a mix of corporate and artist news. The music service will feature a mixture of paid and free content and also might include non-EMI artists as well. EMI is positioning the effort, which was first reported Wednesday in the Financial Times, as an experimental "consumer lab." One option being considered is a music discovery function where fans of one act could be shown music that matches up with their tastes, similar to how such sites as lastfm.com and Pandora.com operate. (Agencies) ... read more »