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Google denies Napster, music download service rumors

Elinor Mills Former Staff Writer
Elinor Mills covers Internet security and privacy. She joined CNET News in 2005 after working as a foreign correspondent for Reuters in Portugal and writing for The Industry Standard, the IDG News Service and the Associated Press.
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Elinor Mills

Google on Tuesday denied reports that it is going to acquire Napster or develop its own music download service.

"We have no plans to acquire Napster, nor do we have plans to develop a music store at this time," a Google spokeswoman said in an e-mail response to questions. "Google recently introduced a music search feature that offers users faster access to music-related information they are searching for. For certain music-related queries, we display links to 3rd party sites where interested users can purchase music directly."

The New York Post, citing sources in the music industry, reported on Tuesday that Google is considering an alliance or outright acquisition of Napster.

That comes after Bear Stearns analyst . Last May, Gary Price of Search Engine Watch noted that Google had registered the GoogleMusic.com domain "after acquiring it from a someone in Curacao."