December 1991
The MP3 file is invented by the , following years of research into compressing files
November 1997
is founded, enabling users to access their music online, provided they have a genuine copyright version
February 1998
launches, becoming the first website to offer MP3 files for download as well as a subscription service
April 1998
Saehan, a Korean electronic manufacturer, produces MPMan, the world's first MP3 player
June 1999
Napster, the first large-scale P2P network, is founded by Boston student Shawn Fanning
December 1999
, the mobile music recognition service, is established by Californian students who later move to London
April 2000
that MP3.com is liable for copyright infringement, one of the first rulings in favour of record labels
March 2001
Niklas Zennstrom, Janus Friis and Priit Kasesalu (who subsequently set up Skype and Joost) found KaZaa
July 2001
by the US Circuit Court of Appeal for infringing copyright
October 2001
Apple sells its first iPod. It has sold almost 200m since, becoming the world's most popular music player
January 2002
Last.fm launches in London, the first ad-funded internet radio platform offering personalised music
April 2003
Apple launches the iTunes Music Store which has since grown to account for 70 per cent of digital music sales
October 2003
re-emerges with a paid-for model after Roxio bought its remaining assets at a bankruptcy auction
January 2004
Coca-Cola, with , becomes one of the first major brands to launch a download store
January 2005
Downloaded tracks outsell physical singles for the first time and are later incorporated into the UK singles chart
September 2005
HMV and Virgin Megastores are late to the party when they both launch online music sites
July 2005
Apple sells 500 million tracks through iTunes after just over two years of offering downloads
September 2006
Microsoft lifts lid on Zune, its rival to the iPod, which promises to deliver 'connected music and entertainment'
June 2007
Apple unveils the iPhone, providing the long-awaited joint experience of communication and music
October 2007
, inviting people to 'pay what they like' to download it
July 2008
UK record labels, media owners and ISPs agree a Memorandum of Understanding to combat illegal file sharing
October 2008
Nokia brings its Comes With Music mobile play to the UK market, backed by a
February 2009
Spotify opens free registration in the UK and becomes one of the fastest-growing start-ups in history
April 2009
The founders of Pirate Bay, a peer-to-peer file sharing site, are sent to jail for a year by a Swedish court.
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