Wednesday, April 27, 2005

RealNetworks try giving music away free

RealNetworks have hit on a new business model, according to the NYT. They've decided to give some music away free in an attempt to attract customers.

"Yesterday, Real introduced a version of its Rhapsody music service that allows nonsubscribers to listen to 25 songs free each month. Users are welcome to listen to one song 25 times or any 25 songs from its million-song library once, or any combination. Real hopes that making it as easy to try its service as it is to obtain songs illicitly through a file-sharing network like Kazaa will draw new paying customers."

They've also apparently re-ignited the drm arms race with Apple over providing songs for the iPod.

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