MP3.com Spins Net-Only CDs

In yet another twist in music's touch-and-go relationship with the Web, online music company MP3.com announced today that it is offering Internet-only versions of CDs called netCDs that users can store online in My.MP3 "music lockers."

Once a customer buys a netCD, the service automatically stores the music in their locker. The buyer can transfer that music in MP3 format to their hard drive. From there they can burn it onto a traditional CD, or they can move it to a portable device, using the company's Transfer2Device service. The individual recording artists priced their own netCDs, which will range anywhere from $3.99 to $30.

My.MP3 users will be able to store, access, and manage their online music collection from any Web-enabled device, the company says.

MP3.com says that netCDs will do away with environmentally unfriendly cases and covers, and will reduce shipping and handling fees, making netCDs attractive to consumers.

Additionally, MP3.com users will still be able to purchase Digital Automated Music CDs, the company says. These discs are in both standard CD and MP3 formats, which means users can play them on both computers and stereos. DAM CD buyers will also receive a free netCD version. DAM CDs are priced at $3.99 and higher.