Summary

Original source:
http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9588_22-5569293.html

Details

• Click HereMP3tunes.com introduced its digital music service on Wednesday, offering 300,000 songs at 88 cents each from mostly independent and unsigned artists.
• As earlier reported, the new download service is the brainchild of Michael Robertson, current chief executive of Linux software company Linspire and Net-calling service SIPphone.
• Robertson, known most recently for his high-profile court battle with Microsoft over the naming of Lindows, now known as Linspire, said MP3tunes.com will offer a distinct alternative to popular music services such as Apple Computer's iTunes by directly courting fans of Linux software and by shunning digital rights management (DRM) protection.
• "Digital music sales make up less than 2 percent of the total music business because many consumers know they aren't really buying the music--they're renting it from a big corporation that controls what software, computer and portable devices they can use," Robertson said in a statement.
• By offering customers the ability to play their music files on any sort of device, Robertson is hoping to challenge download sites that have taken a less open approach with their digital music services.
• Other features of the service include the free "music locker" for permanent storage of purchased songs, unlimited downloads of purchased titles, and the ability to listen to clips of songs before buying them.
• While MP3tunes.com lacks the major label clout of its competitors, Robertson pointed to popular recording artists such as Linkin Park and Maroon 5 who were still relative unknowns when they first began posting material to MP3.com.
• "All new trends in music start with emerging artists and progressive-thinking labels who are most willing to try new approaches, which is where MP3tunes is focusing initially," Robertson said.
• Mike McGuire, an analyst at research firm Gartner, said that MP3tunes' first challenge will be getting consumers to go to the site and pay for downloads, an issue that he said is a struggle for every online music store other than iTunes at present.

Related Articles

Popular Topics: Linux, Music downloads, Digital music, Diabetes, Breast cancer, Prostate cancer, Heart disease, Depression, High cholesterol, Osteoporosis, Vaccines, Autism, ADHD, Infertility, Weight loss, Cancer, Alzheimer's, Trans fats, Acrylamides, Fluoride, Mercury	Take Action: Support NaturalNews.com Email this article to a friend Share this article on: NewsVine | digg | del.icio.us Permalink to this article: http://www.NaturalNews.com/004620_Linux_music_downloads_digital_music.html Reprinting this article: Non-commercial use OK, cite NaturalNews.com with clickable link. <a href = "http://www.NaturalNews.com/004620_Linux_music_downloads_digital_music.html">Linux leader offering cheap music downloads; no rights protection on files means they will be more portable</a>
Receive our Natural Health Newsletter for FREE Subscribe now (it's free!) to win. We randomly choose a subscriber each month to send $100 in eco-home products or a RealGoods.com gift certificate (our choice). Plus, you'll receive FREE news, articles and action alerts from NaturalNews.com editors and join over 800,000 monthly readers who report extraordinary health improvements after becoming a subscriber! Receive breaking news alerts on natural health solutions, renewable energy, the environment, global warming and more. Receive a free instant download of our $29 Secret Sources guide that reveals top sources for little-known health and diet solutions.	Your Email Address: Free Subscription Code: Enter the numbers you see: 100% free of charge. Unsubscribe anytime. Absolutely no spam. We respect your email privacy.
Recommended Special Report: Seven Words that can Change the World by Joseph R. Simonetta Read this special report now... "Seven Words That Can Change the World reveals the astonishing, simple truths that have the power to forever transform our world for the better while freeing our minds from the enslavement of limiting beliefs. This is not a text for the simple-minded; it is a guiding philosophy for the mindful, intelligent few who are wise enough to seek out -- and recognize -- the higher simplicities of truly purposeful living." - Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, editor of NaturalNews.com	More on NaturalNews.com: • Streaming Health Ranger Videos • CounterThink Cartoons • FREE Special Reports • Podcasts