Summary

Original source:
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/business/technology/12962939.htm

Details

• Bertelsmann AG said Friday it will launch a new service that uses the technology made popular by file-swapping businesses for legal downloads of music and movies.
• The service, dubbed GNAB, or "bang" in reverse, is set to be used in Germany by the end of this year, with an eventual rollout to other countries through 2006 and beyond, the company said.
• Unlike Bertelsmann's previous foray with the original Napster - which led to a bevy of lawsuits over violations of copyright law - GNAB uses a decentralized peer-to-peer network to offer downloads whose original content is hosted on centralized servers.
• Unlike other file-sharing programs, Arvato said, GNAB will be licensed to partners who can use it to sell their own downloads, meaning consumers will only get to use it if they go through a particular partner or company.
• "We are a service provider and we present the idea and technique of GNAB to others," Wolf said.
• The decentralized nature of GNAB's technology makes it feasible for providers to distribute large files like feature films or games without overburdening the centralized servers.
• Arvato has agreements lined up with several labels, particularly Sony BMG, of which Bertelsmann has a 50 percent stake, giving it access to about 1 million songs.
• The service comes amid heightened competition by other companies, notably Apple Computer's ubiquitous iTunes, which is popular in the United States and has local versions operating throughout Europe.
• The episodes are available for download the morning after they are on ABC television in the United States.
• File-sharing networks that use peer-to-peer sharing have drawn fire from major record companies because they claim that users are sharing the music illegally, depriving them of income.

Related Articles

Popular Topics: Movies, United States, Peer-to-peer, Diabetes, Breast cancer, Prostate cancer, Heart disease, Depression, High cholesterol, Osteoporosis, Vaccines, Autism, ADHD, Infertility, Weight loss, Cancer, Alzheimer's, Trans fats, Acrylamides, Fluoride, Mercury	Take Action: Support NaturalNews.com Email this article to a friend Share this article on: NewsVine | digg | del.icio.us Permalink to this article: http://www.NaturalNews.com/008454.html Reprinting this article: Non-commercial OK, cite NaturalNews.com with clickable link. <a href = "http://www.NaturalNews.com/008454.html">Bertelsmann to launch legal music downloading service</a>
Receive our Natural Health Newsletter for FREE Subscribe now (it's free!) to win. We randomly choose a subscriber each month to send $100 in eco-home products or a RealGoods.com gift certificate (our choice). Plus, you'll receive FREE news, articles and action alerts from NaturalNews.com editors and join over 800,000 monthly readers who report extraordinary health improvements after becoming a subscriber! Receive breaking news alerts on natural health solutions, renewable energy, the environment, global warming and more. Receive a free instant download of our $29 Secret Sources guide that reveals top sources for little-known health and diet solutions.	Your Email Address: Free Subscription Code: Enter the numbers you see: 100% free of charge. Unsubscribe anytime. Absolutely no spam. We respect your email privacy.
Recommended Special Report: Seven Words that can Change the World by Joseph R. Simonetta Read this special report now... "Seven Words That Can Change the World reveals the astonishing, simple truths that have the power to forever transform our world for the better while freeing our minds from the enslavement of limiting beliefs. This is not a text for the simple-minded; it is a guiding philosophy for the mindful, intelligent few who are wise enough to seek out -- and recognize -- the higher simplicities of truly purposeful living." - Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, editor of NaturalNews.com	More on NaturalNews.com: • Streaming Health Ranger Videos • CounterThink Cartoons • FREE Special Reports • Podcasts