Napster is poised to begin testing its new subscription-based online music service.
The tests will involve 20,000 people who previously registered their interest in the offering.
The trials will include 100,000 tracks supplied by independent music labels.
Napster has been out of action since a court injunction imposed in July. Since then it has forged licensing agreements with several publishers. It aims to re-launch as a subscription-based service that can guarantee the payment of royalties to artists early this year.
Chief executive Mr Conrad Hilbers said the trials should satisfy its detractors in the mainstream music industry that Napster has put its house in order.
However, Napster will face competition from two major industry-backed online music ventures, Pressplay and MusicNet.
The former is a joint venture between Sony Music Entertainment and Universal Music Group; MusicNet has the backing of RealNetworks, AOL Time Warner, Bertelsmann and EMI Group.
PA