Using Subscription Music Services

Many of the top music companies and stores around the globe are increasingly looking to MP3 as a means of selling music. And as such, sites are popping up all over the place that allow you to legally download audio content for a fee.

This type of service is divided into 2 major categories: renting music, and buying music. In the renting model, users may listen to as much music as they want, as long as they continue to pay a monthly subscription fee. The buying model allows users to pay a fee per song (or per album), and keep that file forever. Additional charges may be made if users want to buy the right to burn that music onto a CD or to transfer it onto other equipment other than the original device it was downloaded to.

Apple's iTunes service is one prominent example of this type of paid-for subscription service, along with Napster and 7digital.com.

Many online stores use Digital Rights Management, which limits use of music on certain devices. The restrictions vary between different services, and sometimes even between different songs from the same service. Always check that your player is compatible with the service before buying.