By Stevie Smith Oct 30, 2007, 14:27 GMT
Online social networking Web site imeem, which leans heavily towards video media and music sharing, has this week confirmed that EMI Group has agreed to allow users to upload and share their EMI content.
Social media-sharing Web site imeem has revealed that EMI Group is to allow user uploading of its existing music catalogue. Credit: EMI
Joining imeem alongside the likes of Sony BMG and Warner Music, EMI’s addition now represents the securing of three of the industry’s ‘big four’ music labels – only Universal remains and is presently in talks with the site regarding its inclusion. It also represents a notable swing in getting major industry players to license personal and public song usage in a different way.
According to a New York Times article, imeem’s deal with EMI allows the Web site’s users to upload almost any song in EMI’s catalogue to the network, which can then be listened to, for free, by other imeem users.
Of course, there are restrictions and conditions related to media usage through the imeem service. While a great wealth of music can be freely uploaded and listened to by the service’s users, the downloading of music from imeem to a waiting MP3 player is certainly not possible.
Also, free uploading and sharing means that users must tolerate revenue-sharing devices such as on-screen adverts and 15-second audio commercials between music tracks, which allow for the sidestepping of the usual ‘1 cent per song’ streaming rate laid down by music companies.
Not all music tracks are applicable for uploading through imeem however, the service employing filtration software from Snocap to cipher out those tracks that associated music companies have not approved for uploading from their respective catalogues.
For example, while EMI Group’s expansive catalogue gives imeem users access to content from the likes of Radiohead, The Rolling Stones, Norah Jones, Daft Punk, Beastie Boys, and The Beach Boys, tracks from The Beatles have not been approved for uploading.
"This deal includes all of EMI’s available digital catalog," commented an imeem spokesperson. "There are a select few artists that have retained digital rights to their music, including The Beatles, and imeem will not provide full length streaming."
Imeem, which launched in 2004, presently claims some 18 million registered users and is growing rapidly.
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