Napster looks to de-tether downloads
Print story'We hear the kids like these MP3 things'
Posted in Music and Media, 7th January 2008 20:53 GMT
Increase your knowledge of the latest threats to your busines
Napster will once again deal in the scourge that are MP3s now that the major record labels have decided that MP3s are not evil but rather their future.
The music vendor will allow customers to purchase DRM-free songs and albums in the MP3 format. However, those poor souls subscribing to the Napster music rental service will still be tethered.
The Napster brand hasn't been associated with DRM-free music since the glorious illegal file trading days of, oh, 2000ish.
The shift to MP3s - rather than Microsoft DRMed tunes - will occur during the second quarter for Napster. The company has yet to reveal which labels will join its crusade, although all of the big boys are dabbling with the DRM-free idea.
About 750,000 people subscribe to Napster's tethered download rental system, and the company remains focused on that business. Still, Napster would like to grow its download business and sees the freedom of MP3s as a way "to break down the dominance of the closed iPod-iTunes system," according to CEO Chris Gorog, speaking to the Wall Street Journal.
Warner, EMI and Universal already sell MP3s via Amazon.com. ®
Increase your knowledge of the latest threats to your busines
The future of SaaS and IT infrastructure management
Can Outsiders Enhance Exchange?
The Total Economic Impact of Dell's PC products and services
The best practices guide for application security
Reducing messaging and web security costs with managed services
Win a Samsung C6625!
Is your cameraphone an oxymoron?
Reg Mobile and Wireless newsletter is go! go! go!
Sign up, sign up for The Register IT security newsletter