Google and Napster to become allies?

Shares of digital music service Napster Inc. have risen more than 30 percent in pre-market trading. The cause of the sudden stock rise was a report that it was in discussion with Google Inc. for an alliance that could include a sale. 

According to a report in the New York Post, Internet giant Google is in talks with Napster over an "extensive alliance" that could include an "outright acquisition".

A Napster spokesman told earlier that it was not looking to be sold; "The company is not looking to be sold, the management is not looking to step out. It's simply not true". However, last week the company laid off 10 managers so things might be changing...