EMI signs Qtrax deal

09:43 | Wednesday June 4, 2008

The Qtrax deal covers the US and Canada, while the SpiralFrog agreement is understood to be on a global basis, although SpiralFrog has yet to set a date for a launch ex North America.

Under the Qtrax deal, music from EMI artists will be available free to registered Qtrax members for unlimited streaming or downloading to a PC.

Members can also load downloaded tracks on up to three portable devices, although they must visit the site at least once every 60 days to keep their downloads active.

Those who wish to permanently own tracks can do so via direct Qtrax links to participating digital retailers.

“This is a revolutionary time for the music industry”, says Qtrax founder and chairman Allan Klepfisz.

“Guy Hands and EMI Music have demonstrated great vision and leadership and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have their support,” he continued. “Music fans will soon be able to legally download tracks from EMI’s rich, storied catalogue, giving them access to one of the world’s largest repertoires of music.”

Qtrax now has deals in place with the “big four” music publishers: EMI Publishing, Universal Publishing, Sony/ATV and Warner/Chappell, as well as Universal, Beggars Group and TVT.