Napster Hires Ex-Netscape Exec.

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. (AP) - Napster Inc. has hired a former Netscape executive to oversee membership initiatives as the song-swap company prepares to launch its subscription online music service.

Claire Hough will serve as Napster's vice president of engineering, a newly created position, the company announced Wednesday. Hough will manage the ongoing development of Napster's membership service and will report to the company's chief executive officer, Konrad Hilbers.

Hough spent five years at Netscape Communications, most recently as the vice president and general manager of the directory and security division.