Napster currently sells songs protected by Microsoft’s digital rights management (DRM) protection. It claims to be the first music subscription service featuring major label content to announce a 100% adoption of the MP3 format for download sales.
This company added that the change will only apply to downloads of single tracks and albums. The music downloaded under its subscription services will remain protected.
It will allow customers using its on-line download store and subscriptions, Napster and Napster To Go, access to the MP3 format music, with the details of the initiative presented at the time of availability, the company said.
Chris Gorog, chairman and chief executive at Napster said: The ubiquity and cross-platform compatibility of MP3s should create a more level playing field for music services and hardware providers and result in greater ease of use and broader adoption of digital music.
The major record labels like Vivendi’s Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group and Britain’s EMI have already collaborated with Amazon.com’s MP3 initiative that was launched in September 2007.
Vice president of digital strategy and business development at Warner Music Group, Michael Nash had noted during the announcement of Amazon.com and Warner’s partnership that consumers are looking for more flexibility.
Source: ComputerWire daily updates
