The chief executive of Hewlett-Packard, Carly Fiorina, launched a blistering attack on digital piracy last night, vowing to throw the full weight of her company's resources behind attempts to clamp down on illegal online file sharing.

Speaking at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Fiorina was joined on stage by Jim Iovine, the chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M Records, and several entertainment industry stars including U2's guitarist The Edge, singer Sheryl Crow, hip hop producer Dr Dre and film star Ben Affleck, who all backed the company's drive.

Chart-topping soul singer Alicia Keys also performed during Fiorina's keynote and condoned music downloads by fans, but only if they then bought the music if they liked what they heard.

Fiorina said her company was "proud to take a stand against piracy," and that supporters of illegal file-sharing had been responsible for eroding consumers' morals by making piracy simple and widespread.

"In the past we had Moore's law," she said, referring to the law said to govern the continual rapid improvement in computer processor power. "Now we have KaZaA's law, which states [that] our sense of right and wrong don't evolve as quickly as our technology.

"Just because we can steal music doesn't mean it is right. Just because we can steal intellectual property doesn't mean it is right. It is illegal, and it is wrong," she said.

From this year, all HP hardware will include software to protect intellectual property, she said, adding that the company would consult with industry and consumer bodies in its drive to reduce digital media piracy.

The 1500-strong audience at the Las Vegas Hilton theatre also got the first glimpse of HP's new music player, which is to be designed and built by Apple, the producer of the top-selling iPod music player.

The new player, due on sale this summer, looks much like an iPod apart from its light blue colouring and the HP logo on the back.

As well as selling the new device, HP will put a link to Apple's iTunes Music Store on the desktop of every computer it sells from the summer. It is the first time Apple has licensed its iPod and music store technology to a third party.

Fiorina said HP had looked at other alternatives but "concluded Apple's iPod music player and iTunes music service were the best by far".

The deal represents a major boost for Apple as its rivals, including Real Networks and Sony, are to launch their own download services. It also bolsters Apple's AAC music format against rivals from Microsoft and Real.