Jari Ketola
23 Feb 2001 15:06
Trying to take full advantage of the ongoing Napster / MP3 -hype, Universal and Sony (again) announced they will be launching a digital music service.
The service, currently known by a code name "Duet", will initially be streaming only, but downloads, encrypted in some rights management software, will be offered later. Also some peer-to-peer functionality will be implemented, such as the ability exchange... hold your breath everyone... play lists! *Gasp!*
Vivendi Universal and Sony are trying to license at least 50 percent of global record sales for the service. That might sound like a huge goal, but it's not - Universal Music Group and Sony alone account for close to 40 percent of global record sales.