Napster Vs iTunes
Napster has opened the ‘world’s biggest’ MP3 download store with upwards of 6 million songs, in an attempt to challenge the mighty iTunes.
The online store is offering MP3 files compatible with almost all digital media devices and mobile phones (inluding iPod and iPhone). Prior to this launch Napster was selling streaming subscription packages locked to proprietary technology, but has switched back as most punters want to be able to transfer songs they like to their choice of player (no shit!).
What’s interesting is that Napster are flogging fans more songs without copy protection or DRM. The majority of the songs on iTunes are locked with Fairplay DRM, which prevents the songs from being played on most players that aren’t an iPod.
Labels had previously been reluctant to allow the sale of songs without protection, in a vain attempt to avoid piracy. But in an industry that’s in free-fall, it seems more record exec’s are going to have to take the risk.
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