Napster (pay service)

This article is about the defunct pay service operating as Napster. For the defunct peer-to-peer music download software, see Napster. For the current service operated as Napster, see Napster (streaming music service).
Napster, LLC
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryOnline music
Predecessorpressplay
FoundedMarch 2003; 21 years ago (2003-03)
DefunctNovember 2011 (2011-November)
FateAcquired by Rhapsody International Inc.
HeadquartersLos Angeles, California, United States
Key people
Mike Davis, CEO[1]
ProductsNapster
Napster to Go
Napster MP3 Store
RevenueIncrease$111.08 million USD (FY 2007)
Decrease$36.83 million USD (FY 2007)
Number of employees
138 (2007)
ParentBest Buy (2008–2011)
Roxio (2003–2008)
Websitewww.napster.com

Napster, commonly known as “Napster 2.0”,[2][3] was a music streaming service and digital music store, launched by Roxio in 2003 under the purchased name and trademarks of former free peer-to-peer file sharing software Napster in the aftermath of the latter's 2002 bankruptcy and subsequent shut down after a series of legal actions taken by the RIAA.[4] Roxio purchased Napster and a music streaming service called PressPlay in 2003,[3] to create a new legal online music service that lets users access music through a subscription or on a fee-per-song basis. Napster was later acquired by Best Buy. The service was acquired by rival Rhapsody in 2011.

  1. ^ Napster: Napster Management.
  2. ^ "Napster Homepage". Napster. Archived from the original on December 25, 2003.
  3. ^ a b Viksnins, Rebecca (October 8, 2004). "Napster 2.0 Review". CNET.
  4. ^ "Porno company offers to buy Napster". CNET. CNET Networks. September 12, 2002.