Spotify may now have US deal with Universal Music Group

Report claims streaming music service has bagged three out of four major labels for its Stateside launch.

Spotify has signed a US licensing deal with Universal Music Group, meaning it has three out of the four major labels, according to a report by All Things Digital.

The deal, apparently signed last week, would give Spotify agreements with three of the four major labels, since Sony Music and EMI are already thought to have signed on the dotted line for the company's US launch.

The fourth - Warner Music Group - may be about to follow suit too, since ATD's sources claim 'the two sides are closer than they have been, and are optimistic a deal will get done'.

Spotify's ambition to launch its freemium music service in the US has become something of a saga. The company originally targeted a debut by the end of 2010, but as negotiations with rightsholders dragged on, that deadline came and went with no launch.

The company is expected to charge $10 a month for its Premium service in the US, although it's still unclear what limitations will be placed on its free tier there.