The reconstituted Napster music service will be unveiled on 9 October, according to CD and DVD software company Roxio, its new corporate parent. Roxio has spent tens of millions of dollars over the past year to position itself in the increasingly crowded online music distribution business.

The Napster it launches next week will be considerably different to the original - there won't be unrestricted file trading and consumers will have to pay either for individual downloads or monthly subscriptions - but the software company is hoping that the Napster brand still carries enough recognition to attract consumers.

The new service will be built partially on technology purchased along with Roxio's acquisition of Pressplay in May.