LimeWire, the once popular peer-to-peer file-sharing application wants to go legit with a new music download service. Napster, the demise of which sent many users over to LimeWire, tried a similar move, but failed to convince users to pay for the music they once got for free.
Most likely LimeWire's move is an attempt to appease the RIAA, which is currently in court seeking $150,000 for every song that was ever downloaded using LimeWire (which, incidentally, is probably more money than the U.S. GDP).
The LimeWire store will reportedly start as a standalone website, with tie-in links within the LimeWire app. In the future the company hopes to integrate the store into the actual LimeWire application, but somehow we don't think it'll last long enough to accomplish that “upgrade.”
LimeWire's problem is identical to that of Napster and other file-sharing services that have tried to go legit — its core audience doesn't care about infringing on copyrights and is far more likely to adopt bittorrent, or some other file-sharing software, than start paying for downloads.
The only thing LimeWire has going for it in this attempt at legitimacy is that it will be selling DRM-free MP3s at 256 kbps — primarily music from independent labels. For the as-yet-unspecified launch date, LimeWire has inked deals with Canada-based music label Nettwerk Productions and Iris Distribution. The store will reportedly offer both a la carte downloads and subscription options, but pricing has not yet been announced.
