MP3.COM GETS ON THE BUS

In the tradition of the Million Man and Million Mom Marches, let alone the Easter Parade, MP3.com is planning a grassroots assault on lawmakers. The company is encouraging music fans to join in its Million E-mail March, in support of the proposed Music Owners' Listening Rights Act of 2000.

The act, HR5275, was introduced in Congress this week. Sponsored by Congressmen Rick Boucher (D-VA), Richard Burr (R-NC) Ray LaHood (R-IL) and Fred Upton (R-MI), its approval would give people legal access to streamdigital music they already own, without incurring a per-listen charge. Sounds suspiciously like My.MP3.com, which has just cost the company an estimated $250 million as a result of the court judging it a copyright infringement.

Through the Million E-mail March, MP3.com users can voice their support of the act to their legislators via e-mail. They can also express their support by registering at www.mp3.com/million.

The March is MP3.com's attempt to fight the litigation assault against it with a proactive legislative campaign.

Said Chairman/CEO Michael Robertson: "People buying CDs are the lifeblood of the music industry and they should be permitted to use new technologies that give them exciting ways to access their music. We applaud and support elected officials and those seeking office who are working to give consumers access to the music they have purchased, anywhere and anytime. Which is why I'm announcing my own candidacy for President of the U.S. on the 'Free Music' ticket with my running mate Shawn Fanning."