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Online audio store

An online audio store is an Internet service that sells audio, usually primarily music, on a per-song and/or subscription basis. The realization of the market for these services grew widespread around the time of Napster, a music and file sharing service created by Shawn Fanning that made a major impact on the Internet scene during the year 2000. Some services have tethered downloads, meaning that playing songs requires an active membership.

Table of contents
1 Compared to file swapping
2 Stores
3 Pricing
4 Platform
5 External links

Compared to file swapping

Much controversy surrounds this issue, so many or perhaps all of these points are disputed.

Advantages

Disadvantages

Stores

Along with those mentioned, companies like Microsoft, Wal-Mart, and Coca-Cola have plans for paid services as well.

Audible.com

iTunes Music Store

See iTunes Music Store.

Rhapsody (aka Listen.com)

See
Rhapsody.

EMusic

See EMusic.

MusicNet

See MusicNet.

BuyMusic

See BuyMusic.

pressplay (aka Napster)

See pressplay. pressplay has rights to the name Napster, despite costing money.

Musicmatch Downloads (aka Dell Music Store)

See Musicmatch Downloads.

Pricing

Per-song

Subscription

Platform

Linux

Macintosh

Windows

External links