We7 – the brainchild of Peter Gabriel and provider of free music downloads
– has received a huge boost with the support of Sony. What does this mean for us? Superficially it means that all of Sony’s back catalogue will be available for streaming from the We7 site. For free. Wow.
What this support also means is a tacit agreement by Sony BMG – previously one of free music sharing’s most staunch enemies – that there is some mileage for the big players in free music downloads
. This is important.
This agreement and backing could mean that the industry’s main players are planning on aiding rather than preventing downloads of their music. Looking at agreements for free music downloads between 24-7 Entertainment
and a Nordic
provider, 02 and Napster (and Vodafone and Napster) it is quickly obvious that there are going to be some important deals struck imminently. Where all these deals will eventually go is unclear – they may simply go full circle and end with pay-per-play deals, for instance – but it’s undoubtedly a positive step in the right direction for the world of music downloads.
Watch this space.
[...] from the other big publishers will remain to be seen but it is difficult to see them competing successfully against free music downloads. We shall [...]
Erik
Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.
[...] What others are saying: We7 support Sony on free music downloads Sony and We7 team up on music downloads [...]