Online retailer Amazon has launched a download-to-own service in the US.

Amazon Unbox is to offer films, TV and other video entertainment from more than 30 studios and networks.

Paramount, Fox, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros., Lionsgate and MGM have signed up.

Disney, whose chief shareholder is Apple CEO Steve Jobs, is not among the group. Apple is expected to announce its own iTunes based download-to-own service next week.

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