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Universal Music Group confirms deal with Qtrax to allow free music downloads

Wednesday, May 7, 2008 · 2:36 pm · 22 Comments

“Universal Music Group confirmed Tuesday that it has reached a deal with file-sharing site Qtrax to allow free, legal downloads of UMG music.” Amanda Fehd reports for The Associated Press.

“UMG spokesman Peter Lofrumento confirmed Tuesday that an agreement has been reached but declined to elaborate or to say whether a contract has been signed,” Fehd reports.

“‘All of UMG’s music available digitally will be available for free, legal downloads on Qtrax,’ Qtrax spokeswoman Shamin Abas told The Associated Press,” Fehd reports.

Full article here.

[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader "TheConfuzed1" for the heads up.]

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Comment Feed

22 Comments

The Mac That Roared

Wednesday, May 7, 2008 - 2:44 pm · Reply

Yeah but, it’s not likely to be their entire catalog – just the one that don’t sell well. HAH!
bizlaw

Wednesday, May 7, 2008 - 2:47 pm · Reply

This will be short lived. They’re going to support music downloads by having ads on the site? Or are they going to attach ads to the front of each song?
AL

Wednesday, May 7, 2008 - 2:56 pm · Reply

As long as it is in something an iPod can play, Apple will sell more iPods.

Oh well, less profit from iTMS but more from sales of iPods…

I wonder what the ANALysts will say.
TheConfuzed1

Wednesday, May 7, 2008 - 2:58 pm · Reply

Hey look, MDN said my name… err… handle.
chair-throwing, simian-like CEO

Wednesday, May 7, 2008 - 3:00 pm · Reply

Talking of downloads … how about NBC and the Zune?

The NYT has a story:

Microsoft May Build a Copyright Cop Into Every Zune

“Apple refused to cooperate with NBC on building filters into its iPod player to remove pirated movies and videos.

“Microsoft, by contrast … will work with it to try to develop a copyright “cop” to be installed on its devices.”

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/07/microsoft-may-build-a-copyright-cop-into-every-zune/

So yet another incentive for people to buy a Zune.

All it needs now is for Zune Tang to pop up and say this is a brilliant move on Redmond’s part and will ensure the Zune’s success.
TheConfuzed1

Wednesday, May 7, 2008 - 3:01 pm · Reply

@The Mac That Roared–

According to the article, it’s their full digital catalogue.
Skeptic

Wednesday, May 7, 2008 - 3:15 pm · Reply

Clipping from the Qtrax site:

It clearly says computer or windows mobile device. No Ipods. Hmmmm. When are they going to learn that DRM is a mess. Probably never. Another Zune only program.

Are the music files downloaded through Qtrax encoded with Digital Rights Management (DRM)?

Yes. DRM allows Qtrax to insure that artists and record labels are properly compensated for their work. DRM means that you can play these music files on your computer, or Windows Mobile devices that you own. However, you cannot directly transfer these files to other users. At the same time, you’re always free to share these files with other users via Qtrax. Agreements with the various music right’s holders allow Qtrax to leverage the power of P2P, but do it in a way that is 100% legal.
Passerby

Wednesday, May 7, 2008 - 3:17 pm · Reply

I’ve read the full article (which isn’t much longer) and I still don’t understand what’s in it for UMG. They must be getting paid by Qtrax in order to compensate the artists and songwriters. So Qtrax needs to make enough on ads and “music-related items” to pay UMG, pay overhead, and make a profit. I can’t see that happening.

Or, UMG is taking a loss for a cut of ad and “music-related item” revenue. Again, I can’t see how that would be enough to cover expenses. Or, UMG could be doing it just to piss off Steve Jobs. Not a sound business strategy.
shen

Wednesday, May 7, 2008 - 3:31 pm · Reply

“Are the music files downloaded through Qtrax encoded with Digital Rights Management (DRM)?

Yes. DRM allows Qtrax to insure that artists and record labels are properly compensated for their work.”

so it is “free” but has DRM so we can insure that everyone gets paid….

princess bride moment!

“you keep using that word…..”
Predrag

Wednesday, May 7, 2008 - 4:14 pm · Reply

Does is say anywhere if this is ‘PlayForSure’ or ‘Zune’ DRM? If PFS, then it is obviously short-lives, since MS is turning PFS authorisation servers off rather soon. If it is Zune, then the only devices that can play these songs are going to be Zunes (and perhaps Windows Mobile cellphones/iPaqs with a proper software update).

Universal continues shooting itself in the foot. They are so determined to steer clear from iTunes Store in futile hope that they could erode iTunes’s dominance.

It is too late. Apple has figured it out. These days, in the developed world, downloads are done through iTunes; others are not worth it. Universal, as big a label as they are, still only has two choices: continue to stubbornly fight Apple with their alternative, obscure, unintuitive and cumbersome ‘solutions’, losing sales rapidly in the process, or come back to iTunes, under Apple’s conditions. Simple as that.
Ampar

Wednesday, May 7, 2008 - 4:24 pm · Reply

Small print: All the free Yanni that you can handle.
cast a wide net

Wednesday, May 7, 2008 - 4:45 pm · Reply

the record labels are going to cast a wide net and go with any service that it feels will make it money, and hopefully bring down itunes at the same time. too many fingers in too many pots.
His Shadow

Wednesday, May 7, 2008 - 4:53 pm · Reply

Not So Bold Prediction: Qtrax is a walking corpse and will be soon dead.

That is, if it’s going to back WMA.

I don’t know about you, but eliminating 75% + of your target customer base makes for business model that is dead, dead, deadski out of the gate. Period.

Now, the question is this: how do so many fucking idiots have control of billions of dollars of products or cash (shareholders money)? Kind of makes you think ANYONE can run a corporation, doesn’t it?
HolyMackerel

Wednesday, May 7, 2008 - 6:11 pm · Reply

They should allow complete radio podcasts with copyrighted music since these are ad supported. Currently they have to remove all copyright material before distribution.
shipwithsails

Wednesday, May 7, 2008 - 6:13 pm · Reply

The music industry isn’t so dumb. I know what a pain DRM is but to the record labels the more various forms that their music is sold on the better. With any form of DRM the customer is stuck with a platform to play it on. That opens up the possibility of obsolescence (just like Plays for Sure). Even iTunes some day may go the way of Mac OS Classic and then all the music you bought and think you own will be gone. The same as if you bought a CD and then lost it. The labels are just looking to the future customer who then have to replace their music. Good business for them, not for us.
iamdj

Wednesday, May 7, 2008 - 6:17 pm · Reply

Yeah, but the songs are in the PLAYS FOR SURE format.
Mr. Peabody

Wednesday, May 7, 2008 - 6:21 pm · Reply

UMG et. al. piss and moan about Apple’s .99, and then work out a deal with somebody else so we can get it free… What the hell?!
Mr. Peabody

Wednesday, May 7, 2008 - 6:26 pm · Reply

@His Shadow,

Yes, I believe that history shows that just about anyone can run a corporation, but very few have done it in a way that most people consider successful, and even fewer do it in a way that positively changes the way that business in general is done. It looks like SJ might be one of the few that goes into the history books that way.
Zune Tang®

Wednesday, May 7, 2008 - 10:57 pm · Reply

A copyright cop built into every Zune is a brilliant move on Redmond’s part and will ensure the Zune’s success.

Your potential. Our passion.™
frickin idiots in charge of things - why?

Thursday, May 8, 2008 - 12:44 am · Reply

Not anyone can run a corporation, His Shadow.

You have to be a complete idiot, so not many qualify…..

UMG should really sell the assets, close down, hand the cash to the shareholders. You know, the Dell Way.
blucaso

Thursday, May 8, 2008 - 2:33 am · Reply

Finally, a match made in heaven. The combination of Windows and Universal’s catalog finally at a price that’s justifiable… FREE. Because heaven knows no one’s going to pay for this crap in this format on this platform.

Frankly, I wouldn’t be surprised if they even have trouble GIVING it away given the mitigating factors.
Rutger

Thursday, May 8, 2008 - 4:38 am · Reply

Universal had a BIG falling out with Apple over pricing and is now doing a blitzkrieg campaign of putting their catalog everywhere but the iTMS.

UMG’s management obviously think their catalogue is gods gift to the iPod and that Apple will come crawling back to ask them if they please put their music back in the iTMS, with variable (read: higher) prices. Not gonna happen. UMG are childish idiots and these press releases show the whole world.