Music industry launches its first 'Napster' alternative

NEWS The post-Napster age begins in earnest today with the launch of the first mainstream legal music download service from Real Networks, backed by music giants BMG, EMI and Warner. The service, called MusicNet, beats its main rival pressplay to market after both postponed planned launches in the summer as they raced to iron out legalities and gain 'first mover' advantage. pressplay is expected to launch within the next couple of weeks. MusicNet will be available on Real Network's RealOne music service. Subscribers will be able to download 100 songs per month for around £7. The major labels will now get to see whether users are willing to pay for a service they got free from Napster and can still get for free elsewhere on the net.