Music Branch Plans Online Offer

Music fans in Germany will soon be able to legally download their favorite songs from the Internet – for a price. The online offering will begin in the autumn, according to the German Phonographic Industry Association (BPW). The music can be downloaded by different websites of online music dealers, rather than from a single source. Deutsche Telekom is a partner in the deal, which itself is an effort to combat losses due to free music exchanges such as Napster. The music can be paid for as part of the telephone bill, by bank transfer, or by credit card.