Tuesday, August 01, 2006

EMI Licenses Catalog to P2P Network Mashboxx

http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/DhmcQLx9WSWeAT/EMI-Licenses-Catalog-to-P2P-Network-Mashboxx.xhtml

Major music label EMI has announced that it will license its entire catalog via per-to-per through the network Mashboxx. Founded by former Grockster CEO Wayne Rosso, Mashboxx has yet to go live. It’s one of the first P2P firms to be built from the ground up as a legitimate music delivery network. This partnership is the latest attempt by the music industry to harness the power of P2P networks; which is ironic because it was the music industry’s biggest enemy for years. P2P helped set the widespread fire of unauthorized downloads, crutching the industry by its heels. Pairing with the enemy might open a new realm to the music industry’s dim future, perhaps building a successful relationship rather then failure and constant struggle.

“Legal peer-to-peer services which offer consumers a great user experience and which compensate creators appropriately are good for music fans, good for artists, and good for the
digital music market as a whole," said EMI Music North America CEO David Munns. "When it rolls out, Mashboxx will be a no-obligation way for fans to really immerse themselves in discovering music".

“Existing P2P networks bring their user bases to the table and Mashboxx hopes to tap into that asset by creating something of a legitimate gateway to EMI music that could -- theoretically, at least be accessed from other P2P locales”.

The transition from underground technology to legitimate music download platform will not be east for P2P to take. Converting free users to paid users will be tough.

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