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Interesting...
---> Jarmo Lundgren
Multimediatsaari
Helsingin Sanomat,
Verkkoliite
p. 09-1227555 /
040-5345868
Napster confirmed yesterday that it will be
launching a ‘membership only’ fee paying version of its controversial
file-sharing software by the end of the summer. The latest step towards
legitimate business – and some would say the establishment – comes shortly
after the company’s deal with music giant Bertelsmann, parent of BMG records.
It's not clear if the new version will co-exist with the original, renegade
Napster.
Speaking to Wired.com today, IDC analyst Malcolm Maclachlan spoke
positively about the plan. "I think having a paid Napster is a great thing. A
paid Napster with only two million users would have to be considered a huge
success for the industry. Napster's main problems are still legal. Their
chances of clearing those up by June look iffy."
Napster may have continuing legal battles, but its inching towards creating
a viable future has had its rewards. Last week US independent label TVT
reached a settlement with the firm founded by the then 19-year-old Shawn
Fanning, announcing hopes of creating a mutually beneficial partnership.
"I am afraid that copyright owner's resistance to finding workable solutions
with Internet music providers may result in consumers, artists and the
industry itself ultimately being harmed," said Steve Gottlieb, President and
founder of TVT.
He continued, "the future Napster offers the opportunity to reach music
fans in unprecedented and as yet unimagined ways. Word-of-mouth has always
been critical to breaking our artists - now we have harnessed the power of the
fastest growing 'word-of-net' vehicle in existence. It is high time that the
industry embraces a service that the public has so emphatically said they
want."
The news paves the way for other beleaguered digital music initiatives such
as MP3.com, another bright idea that rapidly attracted the wrath of the record
companies. But as a recent survey found that nearly 90% of all PC owners have
the facility to download and play music digitally, perhaps those very
companies are beginning to think future really is
online…
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