Spotify close to Universal deal may launch without Warner

NEW YORK Feb 23 (Reuters) - Spotify, the popular European digital music service is "a few weeks away" from inking a deal for U.S. rights to songs from the world's largest music company Universal Music Group, according to people familiar with the talks.

But the London-based start-up, which was valued at up to $1 billion this week by investors according to reports, could end up launching without Warner Music Group WMG.N, the No.3 music label group one person said.

A Universal Music spokesman said it is still in negotiations with Spotify.

Spotify and Warner Music declined to comment.

(Reporting by Yinka Adegoke)