Not quite in the same way as old Napster, but Napster will introduce an "all-you can download" monthly subscription plan next year. Engadget reports:
Napster’s all-you-can download monthly subscription plan
It looks like Napster is going to be the first to take the plunge and use Microsoft’s new digital rights management system (codenamed Janus) that lets online music stores rent, rather than sell, downloads to people. We know what you’re thinking, and honestly, we don’t like the idea of renting music either, but this time you can’t mess with the price—for fifteen bucks a month you can download as many songs from Napster as you want and copy them on your MP3 player as long as you keep paying the monthly fee (or someone figures out how to hack the DRM).
If successful, this type of service will end up converting music (from a consumer standpoint) from a product to a service with a monthly subscription fee... Interesting...
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For 5 bucks less, can I leave out country music?
For all the flak Napster gets regarding its "rental" business model, and now the "252 CD burn" hack, it's actually getting good reviews from users.
Music subscription services in general are great for new music discovery. I was blown away by 7 bands within the first three weeks of using Rhapsody, which is incredible. Though I'm not currently a subscriber, the move to mobile devices is making me reconsider...
Subscriptions are great for independent music, as they give more exposure to bands trying to get their music out; listeners are more willing to experiment. And that's good for the music industry in general, which could use a shot in the arm. I'm sick of manufactured pop.
My 2 cents,
Mike
http://www.GarageSpin.com