Former P2P file-sharing program outlaw goes legit and offers DRM-free MP3s for between 30 and 99 cents depending on chosen subscription plan.LimeWire has just launched a public Beta of their online music store. Currently only available to customers in the US, the LimeWire Store is reported to have a music catalog of some 500,000 tracks so far, and are all available in a DRM-free 256 Kbps MP3 format. Although the store is currently a standalone web site, the help section of the store's web site states, "In the future, LimeWire will be releasing a version of our file-sharing software optimized for integration with the Music Store. Stay tuned!" But, what's unclear is how exactly LimeWire will be able to integrate the two and be able to convince users to pay for music they could just as easily get for free instead in virtually the same location. Music tracks will be priced from 27 cents to 99 cents depending on desired subscription plan. For $19.99 USD per month customers can get 75 download credits which translates to about 27 cents per song. It's 99 cents per song with no subscription plan. So far the selections are what I'd called mediocre at best, and that's being kind. For the big record labels, no doubt still angry for years of it being used for rampant piracy, have refused to cooperate with LimeWire and so it lacks major artists. Its thus limited to independent labels and artists, much like the established independent online music store eMusic, and I predict it will be this way for some time. Overall the Limewire Store's not a bad idea, but at 99 cents a track and with a limited selection I predict music fans will opt to buy or download their music elsewhere. |
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