GristyMcFisty used our news submit to tell us that Napster is now up and running in the UK. Not only that, they are ahead of schedule - which has to be a cash flow blessing for the embattled Roxio organisation. They're putting all their marbles on the paradigm of pay to download with a sprinkle of DRM market.
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British music fans - well, those with Windows 2000 or XP PCs, at any rate - can fetch Napster's jukebox app. and begin downloading songs for £1.09 ($ 1.94) a go, or in album-length batches for £9.95 ($ 17.74). Punters can also take out a monthly £9.95 subscription, which provides unlimited downloads. However, they also have to pay £0.99 ($ 1.77) every time they want to burn the song or copy it to a portable music player. Again, batch burn/transfer rights can be acquired for £9.95 an album. Essentially, that leaves the subscription version as little more than a glorified radio station, and one you pay for, at that. What it does offer is the ability to share playlists with anyone else, though only fellow subscribers can actually download the songs listed. The company will also provide Track Packs - bundled songs for a fixed fee. £43.99 ($ 78.43) buys 50 tracks, £ 29.99 ($ 53.47) 25 songs and £14.25 ($ 25.41) 15. Napster's time-limited pre-pay cards are also available, offering 15 songs for £14.85 ($ 26.48). |
This doesn't make sense. Why are the tracks not 99 cents? They are nearly double the cost as compared to the service in the US. Maybe the albums in the UK are quite a bit more expensive, from what I have heard they are, however, we aren't talking albums here and the product is not album quality. So what gives? Want to fill your iPod? Go ahead. Did I mention the DRM?
You can read the whole story at the Register.
Source: The Register
