AfterDawn: News

EasyGroup is partnering with UK music download service, Wippit, to launch Easymusic.com, a legal downloading service that will offer tracks for as little as 25p. The launch of the service is intended to happen any time over the next few weeks. The service will sell tracks, divided into two sections, which are "Copyleft" and "Copyright". The Copyleft section will feature music from unsigned artists, some of which will be free. The Copyright service will offer current tracks and back catalogue from as little as 25p, from such labels as Sony-BGM and EMI and of course independent labels.

Due to licensing restrictions not all songs can be sold in all territories. Last year Haji-Ioannou, founder of EasyGroup, lost a case against the British Phonographic Industry over copyright infringement. The EasyInternetCafe chain was allowing users to download free music from the Internet and burn to CDs for £5. The Internet cafe chain agreed to pay the BPI £210,000 in the settlement. "EasyMusic will offer free or best value music downloads to consumers in all Countries. EasyMusic's agreement with Wippit means that easyMusic.com will cater to an even greater range of consumers' musical tastes." Haji-Ioannou said.



Source:
Netimperative

Written by: James Delahunty @ 17 Sep 2004 16:50