SAN DIEGO, March 14, 2001 (PRIMEZONE) -- MP3.com, Inc.'s (Nasdaq:MPPP) Music Licensing Program provides music supervisors, film and television producers, and other multimedia creators with an easy-to-use and comprehensive online resource that allows licensees to search for, listen to, and license great digitized music. MP3.com is joined in the program by its exclusive music licensing partner, enableyourmusic, Inc. (EYM), who represents the majority of artists signed up for the service. EYM offers representation services that include song price and contract negotiation, as well as the collection of licensing fees and royalty income. For a complete description of EYM's services, visit www.enableyourmusic.com.
Traditional methods for finding and licensing music for film, television, advertising and other multimedia projects can prove tedious and expensive. Music supervisors often search through stacks of CDs and needle-drop libraries for just the right sound, spending valuable time and effort tracking down and negotiating publishing and master recording rights. The new Music Licensing Program by MP3.com is designed to, with a few clicks of a mouse, transform a messy, more laborious process into one that is potentially more time and cost efficient.
"Before the launch of the Program was even announced, we were receiving dozens and dozens of licensing requests ranging from feature films to broadcast advertising to a high school reunion slide show," stated Michael Bayer, Director of Music Licensing at MP3.com. "By leveraging MP3.com's Internet expertise and vast database of quality content, we have created an invaluable resource to easily find great music for every commercial licensing application."
Currently, over 850,000 songs are available on the MP3.com site (www.mp3.com). The Music licensing Program is open for enrollment to serious digital artists at www.mp3.com/licensing.
The Music Licensing Program provides three simple ways to locate great content for entertainment and multimedia projects. Its first feature is the Licensing Search Tool, which allows users to easily search for the exact attributes of a desired song simply by entering information in nine categories, ranging from tempo and mood to lyrical keyword attributes. After entering the information, the advanced search engine will comb through the database of registered musicians and immediately find matching songs. Tracks can be sampled in their entirety, allowing users to see if selected songs work with the corresponding visuals. Once a music supervisor has found the perfect song, the actual licensing transaction can be initiated and completed with ease by clicking the "License" button next to the chosen song.
The second method for finding specific music needed on a project is to post a request on the "Licensing Opportunities" on the EYM and MP3.com web sites. Music supervisors can post exact descriptions of the music needed for particular uses on either the MP3.com page if they want submissions from all enrolled MP3.com artists, or on the EYM page if they would like submissions to be screened in advance by EYM. These postings can be in the form of a simple description of the type of music needed, a set of lyrics that need to be matched with an original melody, or a "streamed" video clip that requires an appropriate song.
The third method available through the Music Licensing Program is to directly contact MP3.com's exclusive licensing partner, enableyourmusic, Inc. EYM's Music Department has the ability to extract the most appropriate music from MP3.com's catalog for the music supervisor. The supervisor can then be e-mailed a personalized compilation of music comprised of these songs, accompanied by information on each song and why that piece is relevant. Music can also be suggested based upon a set of advanced criteria, such as those songs that are germane to specific areas or regions in the world, or that have proven to be popular among different demographic groups.
Steve Love, president and chief executive officer of enableyourmusic, Inc. is also a veteran publisher and motion picture/television music supervisor responsible for feature films and TV series such as Rambo III, Total Recall, Baywatch Nights and First Wave. Love explained, "We've designed this concept with the needs of the licensee in mind, combining digital efficiency with a dedication to personal service."
Anyone interested in licensing music through the MP3.com Music Licensing Program should visit www.mp3.com/musicsupervisor to subscribe to the service.
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About MP3.com
MP3.com, Inc. has created a unique and robust technology infrastructure designed to facilitate the storage, management, promotion and delivery of digital music. As the Internet's premier Music Service Provider (MSP), the company is dedicated to providing consumers access to music when they want it, where they want it, using any web-enabled device. The company's web site hosts what MP3.com believes is the largest collection of digital music available on the Internet, with more than 862,000 songs and audio files posted from over 135,000 digital artists and record labels. Dedicated to growing the digital music space, the company's products and services include on-demand Subscription Music Channels, an innovative Business Music Services program, a Radio Services Division and others. Additionally, through the company's MSP technology initiative and its Music InterOperating System, MP3.com is partnering with a variety of forward-looking businesses to expand its digital music strategy. MP3.com's common stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the ticker symbol MPPP. The company is based in San Diego, California. For more information on MP3.com, visit www.mp3.com.
About enableyourmusic, Inc.
enableyourmusic, Inc. brings a unique vision to the business of music by enabling artists and songwriters to empower their copyrights through an innovative Internet-based Licensing and Administration Program. The company's mission is to provide a comprehensive suite of services to accommodate creative, administrative, licensing and royalty requirements, utilizing its proprietary software. EYM addresses both the traditional sources of licensing such as film and television, but also focuses on often under-appreciated licensing venues such as Internet web sites, corporate video production and multi-media productions. The company is led by CEO Steve Love, former Vice President of Music Publishing for Pearson Television and All American Communications, Inc. Mr. Love was also the Executive Vice President of the ATV Music Group. EYM is located in Santa Monica, California. For more information about enableyourmusic, Inc. and a complete description of its services, visit www.enableyourmusic.com.
Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements may include references to products, features, and services described in this press release, including the Music Licensing Program and the functionality and availability thereof, as well as activities and events expected in connection with MP3.com's agreement with EYM. These statements involve a high degree of risk and uncertainty, are only predictions, and actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to differences include risks related to: MP3.com's litigation proceedings, including without limitation the inability to reach settlement with all parties to such proceedings; risks related to the implementation of the products, features and services described in this press release, including the Music Licensing Program, the functionality and availability thereof, and MP3.com's agreement with EYM; MP3.com's new and uncertain business model; acceptance of MP3.com's products and services; MP3.com's limited operating history; and MP3.com's rapid growth, as well as other risks detailed from time to time in MP3.com's reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000.