• by October 31, 2000

The latest application and website usage figures from Media Metrix show that Napster remains the fastest growing home software application Media Metrix has ever tracked. According to Media Metrix data, usage of the Napster software application increased from 1.1 million users in February 2000 to 6.7 million users in August 2000, a 506.8% increase.

Also, penetration of the Napster software application increased significantly among online-computer users at home: 8.5% used the Napster application in August 2000, up from 1.4% in February 2000.

Today, Napster announced a strategic alliance with Bertelsmann, a globally respected media company and owner of BMG music. Bertelsmann has agreed to drop their part of the lawsuit against Napster and even invest in the company once the new service is launched. According to the Napster website, the companies will be working to make "Napster even better. Over time, and as we gain further industry support, we'll work to transform Napster into a membership-based service that preserves the Napster experience. There will always be a free, promotional file-sharing element to Napster."

The announcement went on to say that "Bertelsmann was the first publisher to directly market books to people rather than only through bookstores; Bertelsmann's eCommerce Group has led the way in recognizing the opportunities offered by the Internet to give higher quality services. They understand the importance of person-to-person file sharing, and know that the way forward is to make Napster better, offering a better, higher-quality set of services."

As Napster creator Shawn Fanning said at the announcement, "If you think Napster is great now, just wait. We're just getting started."