Napster goes legit

NEWS Napster, the music sharing site and one-time symbol of people power on the web, is set to end its days as an independent concern after Bertlesmann confirmed plans for a takeover. Bertlesmann, the German media conglomerate which initially invested in Napster back in 2000, is ready to spend up to £20m to acquire the service, according to chief executive Thomas Middelhoff. Talking to the German daily newspaper Die Welt on Friday, Middlehoff said: "Our solution now is to completely takeover Napster. We want to buy out the original shareholders. We have made them an offer." If Bertlesmann does complete the takeover it will acquire a company deep in legal problems. Napster has until the end of the year to respond to the big four music labels in a lawsuit in which it is accused of aiding the infringement of music copyright.