Napster rival formed

Subject: Napster rival formed
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler
Date: 02 Apr 01 - 10:49 AM

From the BBC News Online:
Music giants form Napster rival

Three of the world's largest record companies have agreed to join forces and launch a new subscription based music service on the web. MusicNet, which will be available later this year, will be backed by the three media companies AOL Time Warner, Bertelsmann, and EMI.

Each company will own a stake in MusicNet, and their record labels EMI Recorded Music, BMG Entertainment, and Warner Music Group will license their music catalogues via the company.

RealNetworks will also own a minority stake and bring its internet media technology into the partnership.

Web music:

The companies will license the platform to companies that want to sell music subscription services on the web.

Initially, it will be sold to America Online and RealNetworks, but over time even companies like Napster could buy it, the companies said in a statement.

"The end result will greatly accelerate the roll-out of online music subscription services for consumers across multiple distribution networks, including RealNetworks and the America Online family of interactive brands later this year," a statement said.

The music industry has long been at loggerhead with websites which provide free music over the web.

The most important online music sharing service is Napster which has been embroiled in lawsuits and controversy for months.
(c)BBC News Online

RtS

Subject: RE: Napster rival formed
From: Trapper
Date: 02 Apr 01 - 10:54 AM

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't BMI OWN Napster now? Why are they forming competition to their own service?

- Al

Subject: RE: Napster rival formed
From: simon-pierre
Date: 02 Apr 01 - 11:24 AM

I don't know what happened, but BMG doesn't seem to be affiliate with Napster anymore. There's no more mention of BMG on Napster's service.

Great news anyway. I terribly need to pay for all those songs of Eminem and Celine Dion!

Subject: RE: Napster rival formed
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 02 Apr 01 - 12:57 PM

I hope it doesn't spread. The only reason I download from Napster is to try out an artist before I decide to buy. If I had to pay for that I wouldn't bother and then I would never buy the album so the artist and all the other's would lose out!

Subject: RE: Napster rival formed
From: harpmolly
Date: 02 Apr 01 - 03:17 PM

As I believe Julius Caesar probably said,

"If you can't beat 'em, steal their ideas and pass them off as your own."

Or was that the medieval Catholic Church talking about the Celts? I can never remember...

M

Subject: RE: Napster rival formed
From: mousethief
Date: 03 Apr 01 - 10:55 AM

Funny how people bash the Catholics when they wipe out indigenous religions, then they bash them when they incorporate parts of indigenous religions. Some people just like bashing.

Alex

Subject: RE: Napster rival formed
From: harpmolly
Date: 03 Apr 01 - 11:54 AM

Sorry, Alex. ;)

(But really, come on..."All your gods are evil manifestations of Satan! Bah! But just incidentally, we're turning February 2 into St. Brigid's Day. Not that it has anything to do with the goddess Brigid whose feast just happens to be on that day, whom you are still forbidden to worship...happy coincidence, that...")

Incorporating indigenous religions is a great thing. But first completely discrediting that religion, then sneaking bits and pieces of it into your own sub rosa to make it more appealing to the heathens, strikes me as unsportsmanlike. ;)

Okay, no more thread creep, I promise. I retire.

M

Subject: RE: Napster rival formed
From: harpmolly
Date: 03 Apr 01 - 11:57 AM

Just so I feel better...

Salon.com has several great editorial articles on the subject of the Napster march and the whole MusicNet thing. Check it out. :)

Now I really am retiring.

M