Option for ‘Liquid’ Shares

Amazon.com said it has the option to take a stake of less than 10% in closely held Liquid Audio Inc., which makes software for digital music downloads on the Internet. Under the agreement, Amazon may purchase 381,203 Liquid Audio shares at $6.56 each, subject to unspecified conditions, Amazon said. Meanwhile, Redwood City, Calif.-based Liquid Audio said it will offer 3.6 million shares of stock at between $10 and $12 a share under its previously announced initial public offering.