Kazaa to launch a (legit) subscription-based music service

Napster did it. Limewire did it. Now word on the street is that former den of pirates, Kazaa is returning from the dead as a subscription-based music service, complete with music from 4 of the 5 major music labels.

The service will set you back $20/month for access to over a million songs. Tracks will be available in Windows Media Audio format, with some DRM restrictions. For instance, you'll only be able to transfer tracks to a total of 5 devices.

Compare that to Napster's recently relaunched service that offers unlimited music streaming for $5/month, plus 5 DRM-free downloads a month. Sure, you could make the case that you actually get to keep your music if you sign up for Kazaa's new service. But the thing about DRM is you never really know what you can and can't keep.

TorrentFreak reports that the new Kazaa is pretty much related to the old P2P application in name only. The brand name has actually been taken over by a new company called Brilliant Digital Entertainment.

The service will only be open to users in the US at launch.

Tags: kazaa, music