RealNetworks Challenges Napster On Digital Music

Seattle-based company to offer music for rent that can be carried on portable digital players.

RealNetworks is expected to debut a new portable music service in New York today, competing directly with Napster’s subscription service.

Digital rights management technology (DRM) from Microsoft will be part of the Real offering. The DRM will only allow the downloaded music to be played while a customer is paying a subscription for the service.

Expect to pay $14.95 USD per month for the service; included will be a subscription to Rhapsody, another Real service which streams music to a user’s computer.

David Utter is a staff writer for WebProNews covering technology and business. Email him here.