Statement

Hamburg/New York (PROTEXT) - Andreas Schmidt, President & CEOof Bertelsmann eCommerce Group (BeCG) comments on the London-based Association of Independent Music's (AIM) decision tosupport the new joint business model of Napster and BeCG:

"We are very excited by AIM's decision today to make theirextensive catalogue of music available to Napster's world widecommunity. This addition brings a selection of great music toNapster users. Music from artists such as Moby, Muse, Badly DrawnBoy, Stereophonics and others from hundreds of UK and European-based labels, including Beggars Group, V2, XL Recordings andMushroom, will only further enrich the diverse and satisfyingmusic experience found on Napster. BeCG is pleased that AIMrecognizes the importance of the strategic alliance with Napsterand shares in our joint vision of the future of musicdistribution."

In October 2000 BeCG entered into a strategic alliance withNapster to jointly develop a new business model that will upholdthe interests of musicians, authors and publishers. Since thenEdel Music and TVT Records have entered into agreements withNapster to make their music available to the new Napster service.

ots Originaltext: Bertelsmann eCommerce Group Internet:http://www.presseportal.de Contact: Alexander Adler DirectorCorporate Communications Bertelsmann eCommerce Group Fon: +4940 822262-320 Fax: +49 40 822262-128 Mobile: +49 179 1012930

Subscribers please note that material bearing the slug"PROTEXT" is not part of CTK's news service and is not to bepublished under the "CTK" slug. Protext is a commercial serviceproviding distribution of press releases from clients, who areidentified in the text of Protext reports and who bear fullresponsibility for their contents.

PROTEXT