(CNN) -- The Moving Pictures Experts Group Level 3 (MP3) is a computer format that compresses a CD-quality audio file's tens of megabytes into just a few megabytes, making high-quality digital audio easily downloadable. Until recently, only Net-dwelling, song-swapping music pirates have had much interest in the format, but the popularity of the technology is making MP3 a household word.

Music industry executives and their lawyers are very concerned about MP3 and how it can be used to steal intellectual property. Some new musicians see it as a way to sidestep the powerful music publishing business and use the Internet to distribute their songs. With the introduction of portable MP3 devices, the new format has become the latest trend in consumer audio.

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RELATED SITES:

Mp3Spy
Nullsoft Winamp 2.08 (supports MP3)
Licensemusic.com
MP3.com: Free Music Downloads
Recording Industry Association of America Online
Rykodisc Records US
GoodNoise -- The Internet Record Company
Diamond Multimedia Systems
RioPort.Com - Your source for Digital Music on the Web
Lycos - FAST MP3 Search - The World's Largest MP3 Search Engine
Digital Art Piece (requires Shockwave)

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