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 CD Universe logo | |
| Founded | April 1, 1996; 29 years ago (1996-04-01) |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Wallingford, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Area served | Worldwide |
| Founder(s) | Charles Beilman |
| Industry | Internet,online retailing |
| URL | cduniverse |
| Commercial | yes |
CD Universe is an e-commerce site that sells adult toys, adult DVDs, lingerie, and sexual wellness items. The original CD Universe was an online store that sold musicCDs,mp3 downloads, movies, and video games worldwide until June 2024. CD Universe also offered a wide selection of miscellaneous items such as stuffed animals, jigsaw puzzles, board games, etc.[1]
CD Universe was created in 1996 by founder and CEO Charles Beilman inWallingford, Connecticut, United States. CD Universe listed over 940,000 physical products and over 6 million downloadable songs.
In 1999, CD Universe was sold by Charles Beilman toeUniverse.[2] Charles Beilman bought CD Universe back from eUniverse in October, 2000 after eUniverse decided they wanted to focus on their entertainment business (they eventually ownedMySpace).[2]
In 2009, CD Universe began selling digital music in the DRM-free mp3 format, through their relationship with Neurotic Media.[3]
Beilman retired in January 2020.[4]
CD Universe closed its doors in June 2024. By 15. June the website was bought, the logo slightly changed and is used to sell sexual content.[5]
In September 2014, CD Universe began an effort to raise money for the well known and fiscally responsible charity calledRoom to Read.[6] CD Universe supportedRoom to Read's goal of teaching every child to read and write, thus breaking the cycle of poverty.
CD Universe also supportedThe American Red Cross. Visitors that donated using the link on their website had their donations matched by CD Universe.[7]
CD Universe experienced a security breach in December 1999.[8][9] Although this security breach was a major setback for the company and its customers' trust, CD Universe was able to stay in business and proceeded with an investigation. The hacker, however, a Russian known only by the name of "Maxus", was never caught.[10]
Newton, Michael (2004). The Encyclopedia of High-tech Crime and Crime-fighting.