San Francisco - Apple CEO Steve Jobs doesn't think the subscription-based music distribution model being pushed for addition to the iTunes Store by the major record labels will resonate with consumers, Reuters reported.

"Never say never, but customers don't seem to be interested in it," Jobs told Reuters. "The subscription model has failed so far…People want to own their music."

Subscription-based services are already offered by Napster, RealNetworks' Rhapsody, AOL, Yahoo and Virgin, but none of these services are compatible with Apple's market-dominating iPod players.

Jobs also reiterated that he expects other major record labels to follow EMI Group's move and begin releasing songs free of digital rights management (DRM) protections on iTunes.

"We've said by the end of this year, over half of the songs we offer on iTunes we believe will be in DRM-free versions," Jobs said. "I think we're going to achieve that."

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http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070426/tc_nm/apple_jobs_dc_1 (Reuters)