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Record label, Napster to play together

Bertelsmann and Napster are developing a subscription service, but the deal is unlikely to derail a lawsuit that threatens to close Napster's free music-swapping service.

CNET News staff
 
  latest developments 

Bertelsmann and Napster are developing a subscription service, but the deal is unlikely to derail a lawsuit that threatens to close Napster's free music-swapping service.

"All the other plaintiffs want an injunction. The fact that there is one less plaintiff means very little."

- Leonard Rubin, Gordon & Glickson copyright attorney

 
Record label signs deal with Napster
video | update Bertelsmann forms an alliance with the online music-swapping service, signaling a significant shift in the so far hostile face-off between the major record labels and the start-up.

Napster deal doesn't end threat of shutdown
The surprise deal between Bertelsmann and Napster sends shock waves through the music industry--but it's unlikely to derail the threat of a court shutting Napster down.

Napster fans seen as music browsers, not buyers
More people may be window shopping at Bertelsmann-owned CDNow since they started using software from Napster, but fewer people are buying, according to a new report.