We are unashamed to announce the winner of last week's URL contest where we asked you to submit your favourite URLs to us.

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There were some great entries, but not everyone could win unfortunately. We received band sites, software sites, MP3 sites, music sites and even an entry for Hitsquad.com (thanks Jason!).

But there can only be one winner.

We're awarding our link of the week to www.stopnapster.com for sheer inventiveness, as well as timeliness and spirit. While many people are fans of Napster and the MP3s it provides them access to, it's worth remembering that some people want to get paid for their music and retain control of their digital distribution.

StopNapster is a project put together by Californian band Tabloids. "Originally, MP3 technology promised a new paradigm that would give recording artists unparalleled access to a broad, national market without the huge overhead in physical distribution and maketing costs associated with compact discs," claims their web site.

"Instead, the technology is being used to pirate copyrighted material on a scale never before imagined. Some 13 million computer users are projected as "freeloaders," meaning they download digital music for free. Pew Research says 38 percent of Internet users, or 35 million Americans, have downloaded music from the Web but a scant 2 percent report having paid for it. Welcome to the Free Generation."

With an attitude like that, as well as a savvy approach to promoting their band, we couldn't go past the guys at StopNapster.com.

But we also liked Angry Coffee, dieselmusic.com, MBX-Zen Tashi, John's Music Producer Database... the list goes on!

 

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