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Napster gets second European label deal

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CIOL Bureau
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Napster started 2001 on a high note with the announcement of a second key

alliance with a recording industry powerhouse. Napster, which still faces a

potential court order to shut down its popular online site, announced an

alliance with Germany’s Edel Music AG. Last fall, the company also inked a

deal with Bertelsmann AG.

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Both companies have broken ranks with the recording industry, which is trying

to have Napster shut down, putting an end to consumers swapping copyrighted

music via Napster’s Web site.

Edel is one of the world’s largest independent record labels. Its roster of

artists include Roxette, Jennifer Paige and Phunky Data. Edel said Napster will

get access to master recordings and musical compositions for file sharing under

a new service Napster is developing.

"We are very happy to be working with Edel as we evolve toward our new

business model. We are delighted that a progressive and successful label like

Edel has stepped forward and recognized that the interests of music lovers and

music makers are enhanced by the service that Napster is developing," said

Napster CEO Hank Barry.

"This is a very logical step for a company like ours," said Michael

Haentjes, Edel's chief executive officer. For their part, Bertelsmann officials

said they are pleased they are no longer the only record label on the side of

the little rebel company. "For Napster, this is a major step forward. Edel

Music is Europe's most successful independent label of the last decade. We are

delighted that Edel Music has sent such a forward-looking signal with its

willingness to cooperate. We would also like to explicitly invite the other

music labels to support Napster," said company CEO Andreas Schmidt.

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