AOL launches own subscription music service

The music subscription business can’t be all bad. America Online announced this week that it is launching its own premium music subscription service based on MusicNet, the same system that helps power the RealOne SuperPass service. According to BetaNews:

AOL will initially feature three subscription levels, starting at $3.95 USD for 20 music streams and 20 downloads. For $9.95, subscribers can access unlimited streams and downloads, but songs cannot be transferred to CD or portable device. The ability to burn 10 songs to a CD — using technology from Sonic Solutions — raises the cost to $17.95, and a fourth tier allowing 5 burns for $13.95 will be introduced this spring. AOL plans to offer a la carte burns late this year.