by Valerie Rojas
Staff Writer
After a more than two-year hiatus, everyone’s favorite music downloading Web site is making a comeback.
Roxio, Inc. has decided to revamp one of the pioneers in file-swapping services, bringing the infamous Napster back into the world of downloading retail Web sites.
However, this time around, music downloads come at a price.
Napster 2.0 is expected to be available to online users within a month, allowing users to download songs, paying $1 per downloaded song and $10 per album. Napster was one of the first file-swapping Web sites to offer services to music fans free of charge.
They infuriated recording companies, causing CD sales to decline dramatically.
In 2001, after a very long and very publicized protracted legal battle with recording companies, Napster was forced to end its services and no longer offer free downloads online.
Numerous file-swapping services suddenly surfaced. Some of these offered downloads for a small subscription fee and others offered free file-swapping services within an online community, such as Kazaa and WinMx, currently two of the most popular file-swapping services available online.
Recently, there has been a decline in file-sharing services, originally one of the most popular ways to obtain downloads. Officials have begun to crack down on illegal web downloads, beginning with a lawsuit campaign by the Recording Industry Association of America against downloaders.
Roxio, Inc. ended its current online downloading service “Pressplay” on Oct. 7, and resurrected Napster in its place. “Pressplay” was a downloading service that record companies like Universal Music supported.
Roxio affiliates believe the Napster brand name will set this downloading service apart from the myriad of other download retail sites.
Users will be forced to abide by certain usage regulations, however, Roxio officials are certain that the majority of those who use the new Napster will never have to worry about violating any regulations because of their flexibility.
“The name probably will make a difference, Napster started it all,” senior Ashley Benuelos said.
Benuelos, a former Napster user, says this time around she probably will not be taking advantage of the now legal services.
“I can go to Best Buy and get a CD for around $10 as it is,” Benuelos said.
Roxio, Inc. doubts that all music downloaders will feel this way.
“If it’s legal, and it allows you to download your favorite songs, it’s good,” junior Lupe Gonzalez said.
