UK online DVD rental service Lovefilm, which has just launched a movie download service, has bought out Irish DVD rentals firm Screenclick.com, for about $3.6 million.

SC will be rebranded as Lovefilm.ie, and plans to offer online VOD too…This will be the second rebranding Screenclick has had in recent times; the service was originally established as DVDrentals.ie in 2001, before changing its name to Screenclick in a major rebranding programme.

Lovefilm just launched an online movie download service in UK, with some 500 movies from major studios and independents, including Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone, Alexander and Batman, with more titles added over time.  All titles will cost from £2.99 per download. In addition, LoveFilm has partnered with Intel to make the service compatible with Intel Viiv technology-based PCs.