Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

mp3.com Acquired by CNet

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the things-are-getting-interesting dept.

bmarklein writes "Looks like mp3.com is no more, at least not in its current form. According to an announcement on an mp3.com message board, CNet has acquired assets of mp3.com. The statement is very vague, but it says that following the redirection of the mp3.com domain on December 2nd, "all content will be deleted from [mp3.com's] servers." However they do plan to eventually introduce "new and enhanced artist services"."

9 of 284 comments (clear)

  1. Fuck? by Evil+Adrian · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I hope they don't ruin it for people like me that just like to write songs and let people hear them

    --
    evil adrian
    1. Re:Fuck? by GreyWolf3000 · · Score: 5, Interesting
      One thing Michael Robertson wanted to do with mp3.com is provide listeners with an alternative to mainstream garbage. One thing mp3.com has proven is that nobody buys such alternatives consistently.

      As a musician myself, I find this as sad as I find it true.

      --
      Slashdot: Where people pretend to be twice as smart as they really are by behaving like children.
  2. Could be worse by jp31415926 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    CNET does a good job with most of their sites. I use download.com almost as much as I use Freshmeat. I look forward to seeing how they handle this baby.

  3. mp3.com? by fred+ugly · · Score: 5, Funny

    don't you mean mp3.com.com?

  4. C|net's FUD by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I see... So, this was the reason for Cnet to spread FUD about iPod.

  5. In other words, another iTunes competitor by spoot · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I know they didn't spell it out, but it's pretty obvious. As Steve Job's said, I'm not sure why anyone would want to get on the bandwagon, it's a losing propisition. Apple is leading everyone in this area, and losing their shirts.

    Anyway, it's kind of sad that they are going away. Honestly, since Vivendi bought the site, it lost most of its charm. I joined mp3.com in the beginning. Posted tons of song. It was a great site for amateur musicians and folks on the fringe. As a songwriter, it was a good place to park tunes and have folks listen to them. But with the purchase by V/U and the limitations (three songs, no pay for play, etc...) the shine quickly faded. Sad to see it go, but I really think that it died a long time ago, just that no one told them to shut off the lights. Gotta make sure I take a screen shot for old time sakes.

    http://mp3.com/jford

  6. Spot the scam... by magiccap22 · · Score: 5, Interesting
    They're keeping all artist's money that have less than $25 in their account at closing. They'll claim that this is because of the administrative costs in paying this money out, but are they going to carry this credit forward into the new system?

    MP3.com will perform a final artist accounting and check distribution on or around December 1, 2003. Any artist account with a balance of at least $25.00 will qualify to receive a payment in the final artist accounting (reduced from the usual requirement of $50.00).

    Rather like Superman II, I bet all these small bits of money add up to a considerable sum...

  7. Better make a backup by jaani · · Score: 5, Funny

    Act now, before it's too late: wget -m -A=mp3 -D=mp3.com -L now. Independent music shall live on, free from its corporate shackles!

    --
    ---------- Jaani.net -- internet law and technology
  8. Here's the email they sent to their users. by aduthie · · Score: 5, Informative

    I was registered at the site, though never a paid user. This email was sent last night at about 9:00 pm CST.

    -----

    MP3.com Announcement

    CNET Networks, Inc announced today that it has acquired certain assets of MP3.com, Inc.

    Please be advised that on Tuesday, December 2, 2003 at 12:00 PM PST the MP3.com website will no longer be accessible in its current form.

    CNET Networks, Inc. plans to introduce a new MP3 music service in the near future. If you would like to receive email updates on this service, including an invitation to a special members-only preview, please sign up here.

    MP3.com is not transferring your personal information to CNET Networks, Inc. or any other third party.

    On behalf of all of us at MP3.com we thank you for your patronage and continued support. It has been a privilege to host one of the largest and most diverse collections of music in the world. MP3.com wishes to express its sincere thanks to each of you for making us your premier destination for music online.

    Sincerely,
    MP3.com

    P.S. Remember that to receive email updates about CNET's new MP3 service and an invite to the members-only preview, you should sign up here today.