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For Immediate Release
PassAlong Networks to Join Universal Music Group's Open-MP3 Test DRM Protection Removed From Thousands of Tracks and Albums for Limited Time Franklin, Tenn. — August 16, 2007 — Media distribution developer PassAlong Networks™ today announced that it is participating with Universal Music Group (UMG) in a pilot involving the digital sales of albums and tracks in MP3 format without digital rights management (DRM) protection. "As a company committed to enhancing the digital experience, PassAlong applauds Universal's efforts to test the MP3 waters," said Dave Jaworski, co-founder and CEO of PassAlong Networks. "We are very much looking forward to participating in the latest round of testing and we hope to gain valuable information about selling DRM-free music." The next round of testing is UMG's most comprehensive and extensive to date, and will run from August 2007 to January 2008 and analyze such factors as consumer demand, price sensitivity and piracy in regards to the availability of open MP3s. StoreBlocks™, PassAlong's music distribution platform, will feature Universal's DRM-free tracks as part of a special promotion throughout the duration of the test. The promotion will be available through all of StoreBlocks' 125 stores. StoreBlocks affiliates, including Trans World's f.y.e. – for your entertainment digital music store, Muzak Heart & Soul and BreakthruRadio, can choose to highlight the special promotion or simply participate in the test without bringing attention to the altered tracks. Albums and tracks that will be available during this test run the gamut from artists such as Amy Winehouse, Fall Out Boy, 50 Cent, Black Eyed Peas, Daddy Yankee, Mika, The Pussycat Dolls, Gwen Stefani, Maroon 5, Dr. Dre, Don Omar, Sting, Sugarland, Diana Krall, Paulina Rubio, Shania Twain, Nelly and Prince, to Bing Crosby, Elvis Costello, Reba McEntire, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, Stevie Wonder, Johnny Cash, Bob Marley & The Whalers and Patsy Cline, among many others. Other participants in the test include Google, Wal-Mart, Best Buy Digital Music Store, RealNetworks and Amazon. Each company will offer downloads to consumers in the DRM-free audio format of their choice in a variety of bit rates. For the most part, the DRM free downloads will be offered at standard wholesale prices. About Universal Music Group Universal Music Group consists of record labels Decca Music Group, Deutsche Gramophone, Interscope Geffen A&M Records, Geffen Records, Island Def Jam Music Group, Lost Highway Records, MCA Nashville, Mercury Nashville, Mercury Records, Philips, Polydor Records, Universal Music Latino, Universal Motown Records Group, Universal South Records and Verve Music Group, as well as a multitude of record labels owned or distributed by its record company subsidiaries around the world. The Universal Music Group owns the most extensive catalog of music in the industry, which is marketed through two distinct divisions, Universal Music Enterprises (in the U.S.) and Universal Strategic Marketing (outside the U.S.). Universal Music Group also includes eLabs, a new media and technologies division, and Universal Music Mobile. Universal Music Group is a unit of Vivendi, a global media and communications company. About PassAlong Networks OnTour, StoreBlocks, freedomMP3, PassAlong, Connected Consumer, Passing–and–Points and Speakerheart are trademarks of PassAlong Networks. All other brands are trademarks of their respective owners. ### PR Contacts: |
