MySpace To Launch iTunes Music Store Rival

MySpace, the hugely popular social networking site has announced that it will soon make its foray into the digital music world by selling songs from more than 3 million bands. The site which already has 106 million subscribers and the backing of media giant NewsCorp will now take on Apple Computer’s digital Music Store iTunes. MySpace co-founder Chris DeWolfe told Reuters, “The goal is to be one of the biggest digital music stores out there. Everyone we’ve spoken to, definitely wants an alternative to iTunes and the iPod. MySpace could be that alternative.”

Songs will be sold on the bands’ MySpace’ pages and on fan pages, in non-copyright-protected MP3 digital file format, which will be compatible with most digital players including Apple’s iPod. While the site disclosed that bands decide how much to charge per song after including MySpace’s distribution fee, the pricing has not been made public yet. DeWolfe also said that MySpace would eventually enhance and customize its online music store to offer copyright-protected songs from major record companies.

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