Napster is the first Internet music stores to make its European debut, with its launch today at www.napster.co.uk, reports Reuters. “Cracking the European market before iTunes is considered crucial for Napster,” notes the report. “Apple beat Napster by six months in the United States last year and has established a commanding lead in the small but growing digital music industry.” Napster has reportedly signed deals with each of the five major record labels, giving it a catalogue of 500,000 songs, with 700,000 expected within 30 days. The songs are priced at £1.09 per track, or 99 pense for monthly subscribers. Subscribers pay £9.99 for unlimited song streams, in which music can be listened to but not copied, reports Reuters. Napster’s music service is not Macintosh compatible.
