By The Power Of Gracenote

A little-known company called Gracenote is quietly becoming a major player in the new world of digital music. The company was formed around an idea – that there should be a way for digital players to recognize and label songs and albums without users having to enter the information – and every major digital player now depends on its services. “Gracenote’s rise resembles a pattern seen in many industries, in which one company evolves into an information clearinghouse that holds extraordinary power over its rivals.”