Following a rumour earlier this week and then a statement from Apple dismissing the speculation. The music company has officially come out and confirmed that they will not be renewing their long term contract with iTunes.

“Universal Music Group has decided not to renew its long-term agreement for Apple’s iTunes service. Universal Music Group will now market its music to iTunes in an ‘at will’ capacity, as it does with its other retail partners.”

Macworld.co.uk is reporting that a new deal will be agreed on a monthly basis and the change in terms is said to reflect Universals dislike of fixed pricing and the new iTunes Plus scheme.

Universal appears to want to knock Apple’s control of the music industry by giving other online stores exclusives.