Napster Deal with Indie Artists is Important Step for Digital Rights Management Movement

Digital Rights Management company, Soundwrap, welcomes the announcement of a deal between P2P distributor Napster and the Association of Independent Music (AIM).

(PRWEB) June 30, 2001

London, UK – 28 June 2001: The protection of music artists’ rights and revenues took a positive step forward yesterday, with the announcement of music exchange website Napster’s deal with the Association of Independent Music (AIM) and the Independent Music Companies Association (IMPALA).

UK digital rights management company, Soundwrap™, a ‘Friend of AIM’, has lobbied long and hard for the protection of artists’ copyright. The company has developed a free up front technology which enables musicians, be they signed or unsigned, to distribute their music safely on the Internet without fear of piracy, whilst also generating a direct income.

Gary Millner, CEO of Soundwrap™ comments on the Napster/AIM announcement: “Peer to Peer distribution of music or file sharing is a natural and efficient means of marketing a product and reaching an audience quickly and with ease. Up to now, however, although Napster was certainly aiding the promotion of artists, there was a major issue with artists loosing vital revenues from this uncontrolled and mass distribution.

“Soundwrap™ recognised the power that the Internet could bring to the marketing of music. However, it also recognised the need for artists to be paid for their efforts in order that their careers be sustained. Our product, Soundwrap™, enables artists to virtually shrink-wrap their music files for secure distribution over the Internet, whilst also opening a revenue stream, enabling artists to be paid directly for any sales of their music.

”The deal between Napster and AIM embraces the power of the Internet and peer-to-peer distribution in particular, whilst recognising the importance of protecting the artist. Such an approach is welcomed by Soundwrap™ and we look forward to working with record companies and musicians in empowering them to market and distribute their music in alternative ways.”

From the court case Napster has been facing in the states, to its imminent launch of a subscription-based service, it seems that at long last the rights of musicians have been recognised and that payment for their efforts which has been so long due are now going to finally materialise.

ENDS

Gary Millner is able to provide further comment on the Napster/AIM story or on any digital rights management issues. Please contact Michael Gonzalez or Nick Hobbs at Praxis PR on 020 7749 5911 or michael@praxispr.co.uk. To visit the Soundwrap™ site go to http://www.softwrap.com.

Notes to editors:

About Soundwrap™

British-based Soundwrap™ is a secure digital rights management (DRM) solution for the peer-to-peer (P2P) digital distribution of music. Free up-front and with no requirements of being sole distributor, the company is able to provide a unique service suitable for all types of musicians and producers, signed or unsigned.

The sister company of Soundwrap™ is Softwrap™, a DRM solution for the secure P2P electronic distribution of software. Soundwrap™ and Softwrap™ are wholly owned subsidiaries of WrapTech Ltd, a leading ecommerce company specialising in products and services that enable digital distribution and sales in many formats. With representation in North America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia, WrapTech Ltd facilitates ongoing research and development of software technology, and also ensures the best opportunity of globally distributing their business partners’ music and software, with potential reach of over forty countries. For further information, see http://www.softwrap.com http://www.soundwrap.com

For more information about Soundwrap™, please contact:

Emma Morris

WrapTech Ltd, London.

Tel: +44 (0)20 7407 5567

Fax: +44 (0)20 7407 6678

Email: emmam@soundwrap.com