Spotify: a real alternative to piracy?

Last weeks there has been a steadily increasing interest in music service Spotify. With the release of the U2 album on spotify, a week before the official release on March 2nd, attention for the service has soared.

Spotify offers on demand streaming audio from all the artists of the four major labels (EMI, Sony BMG, Universal and Warner). Users can choose either a free (ad-supported) version, buy a day pass, or choose a monthly subscription for 9,99 euro. In general users are very enthousiastic: the service is fast, easily accessible and cheap. Though there are still holes in the catalogue, spotify seems to be a serious competitor for iTunes… and piracy.

Spotify does not only cater to professional labels, independent artists can also register with Spotify. Through Spotify they can offer their music and use it as a platform for promotion.