SAN DIEGO – MP3.com, Inc., the Internet’s premier
Music Service Provider, today launched its Instant Music Program to
deliver free, full-length digital CDs (“Net CDs”) to 500,000 registered
My.MP3.com users.
For a limited time, MP3.com will distribute 10 free Net CDs from leading
digital
artists to each of its 500,000 registered My.MP3.com users, as well as new
visitors who register for a free account. Members can listen to the tracks
immediately and add the Net CDs to their personal audio collection.
“The Instant Music Program is a great way for consumers to build a digital
library of music across a wide range of genres,” said Michael Robertson,
chairman and chief executive officer of MP3.com. “Our delivery system is
highly
targeted, fast, efficient and environmentally friendly. It’s just like
receiving
a free CD without the packaging. The Instant Music Program allows artists to
increase their fan base and provides a tremendous opportunity for record
labels
and potential sponsors to reach their target markets instantly.”
“This is an incredible offer from MP3.com,” said Ebony Records recording
artist
Arika Kimble, one of the initial 10 artists selected for the Instant Music
Program through My.MP3.com. “Along with MP3.com’s innovative Payback for
Playback plan, this program represents a quantum leap that will allow
artists to
truly profit from the creation of a new music economy. The opportunities for
exposure are outstanding and we think we’ll capture a lot of new fans while
generating revenue in new and exciting ways.”
The following 10 CDs by leading MP3.com digital artists are immediately
available to all My.MP3.com users: Ex Number Five (Alternative), “a history
of.”; John Bell Young (Classical), “Jouissance!”; Mickey Dean (Country),
“Billy
Bobs”; subLINER (Electronic), “The Platinum Sound of Trance”; The Chris
Geith
Group (Jazz), “Prime Time”; Burn The Priest (Metal), “Sevens and More”;
Arika
Kimble (Urban/R&B), “Everything U Need”; L.A. Carpool (Latin), “When Worlds
Collide”; Tears for Beers (World/Folk), “Cracky Bones”; and Dyce (Hip
Hop/Rap),
“Pokeno.”
On January 21, 2000, the major record labels filed a complaint in New York
federal court against MP3.com for copyright infringement relating to its
My.MP3.com services. On April 28, 2000, U.S. District Court Judge Jed Rakoff
granted the major record labels’ motion of partial summary judgment. As a
result, MP3.com voluntarily removed CDs from My.MP3.com. For the time being,
however, members will not be able to access any CDs they “beamed” to their
account. Many other tracks–including those from our new Classical Music
Channel, promotional tracks and songs not affected by the judgment–will
still be available.
To receive MP3.com press releases via e-mail, register at: pr.mp3.com.
