Qtrax
Encyclopedia
Qtrax is an advertiser-supported free music download
service based in New York
. The company is best known for the controversy following its launch attempt in January 2008. Since then, QTRAX has brought a successful launch to eleven countries which include the United States, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Hong Kong, Colombia, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Singapore.
QTRAX has a new Microsoft Silverlight version allowing music fans to download free music from three of the major labels – EMI, Sony Music and Universal Music Group EMI spokesperson Dylan Jones confirmed the deal stating that a short-term agreement with QTRAX has been signed. QTRAX offers a large catalog of music from the three major labels for free download along with band pages complete with links to YouTube videos, Ticketmaster ticket searches, Amazon purchase links and a Wikipedia link. Fans are able to create playlists and send music recommendations to friends QTRAX is now (2011) live in eleven countries including the United States, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Singapore and the Dominican Republic.
in Cannes
. Qtrax claimed to have obtained licenses to distribute the music of the big four music record labels: EMI
, SonyBMG, Universal Music Group
and Warner Music Group
. The Qtrax CEO, Allan Klepfisz, noted that his company's web site was being accessed by 22,000 users per millisecond, and 25 million songs were available. Lance Ford, Qtrax sales manager, announced that company's advertisers included Ford Motor Company
, H&M, Burger King
, and Boost Mobile. The multi-million dollar launch included concerts by LL Cool J
, Don Henley
of the Eagles, and James Blunt
. In the days leading up to the announcement, the stock price of Qtrax's parent company, Brilliant Digital, reached a 52 week high. However, within days, it became clear to the media that all of the material claims made by the company were untrue. It did not have licenses with any of the four major record labels, its music would not play on Apple iPods, it did not have the advertising customers it claimed, nor was its software ready for launch. Analysts soon pointed out that their claim of 22,000 users per millisecond would mean that the company had over 79 billion users, more than the entire population of earth, and that the supposed 25 million digital tracks available, around four times what Apple iTunes then offered, exceed the number of sound recordings that had ever been digitalized in the history of the world at that time.
When pressed to explain the events, Qtrax stated that they felt they had "been unfairly crucified because a competitor tried to damage" them, and that they did "have industry agreements including with the major labels." although the "ink hadn't dried" on some of the deals. Qtrax also announced that it still planned to deliver on its promises "within months.".
In January 2008, the internet policing company, Web Sheriff
notified Qtrax that regardless of whether the music companies supported the service, individual artists would have to give their approval. It was also reported that many of the images on the Qtrax web site were unlicensed.
The files utilized Microsoft
's Windows Media digital rights management
technology, restricting usage of files. Music downloaded from Qtrax could only be played within the Qtrax client and could not be transferred to a portable media device.
The service was only offered to US residents for a brief beta period, but Qtrax has announced it will soon be offered in the Asia Pacific region.
On 6 May 2008, UMG (Universal Music Group
), the largest of the record labels, signed a deal with Qtrax. Qtrax stated that the entire catalogue of songs from artists under the Universal label will be available on Qtrax. Qtrax also has an agreement with the Chinese search engine Baidu, where Baidu will send music related querries to Qtrax from its entertainment portal and music site.
As of 2011, the company has successfully launched in eleven countries:
, Duran Duran
and others, are listed in the Qtrax catalogue as if they were legitimate release.
It has been reported on the James Kilgour Blog, that Qtrax is currently being sued by Oracle USA, in a lawsuit filled in California on the 21st.
Music download
A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment...
service based in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. The company is best known for the controversy following its launch attempt in January 2008. Since then, QTRAX has brought a successful launch to eleven countries which include the United States, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Hong Kong, Colombia, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Singapore.
Business and operations
The QTRAX client has been created on a Microsoft Silverlight Platform. The service is supported purely through advertising, with no registration or download fees. The Qtrax management and advisory team has included CEO Allan Klepfisz, co-President and Chief Strategy Officer Robin Kent, Lance Ford, and former RIAA Chairman Jay Berman. On May 27, 2010, it was announced that Robin Kent was leaving the company.QTRAX has a new Microsoft Silverlight version allowing music fans to download free music from three of the major labels – EMI, Sony Music and Universal Music Group EMI spokesperson Dylan Jones confirmed the deal stating that a short-term agreement with QTRAX has been signed. QTRAX offers a large catalog of music from the three major labels for free download along with band pages complete with links to YouTube videos, Ticketmaster ticket searches, Amazon purchase links and a Wikipedia link. Fans are able to create playlists and send music recommendations to friends QTRAX is now (2011) live in eleven countries including the United States, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Singapore and the Dominican Republic.
January 2008 launch
The company announced its launch of its service in nine countries in January 2008, at the music industry's global conference MIDEMMidem
-MIDEM:Short for Marché International du Disque et de l'Edition Musicale, MIDEM is the world's largest music industry trade fair, which has been held annually at and around the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, France, since 1967...
in Cannes
Cannes
Cannes is one of the best-known cities of the French Riviera, a busy tourist destination and host of the annual Cannes Film Festival. It is a Commune of France in the Alpes-Maritimes department....
. Qtrax claimed to have obtained licenses to distribute the music of the big four music record labels: EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
, SonyBMG, Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...
and Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group is the third largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry, making it one of the big four record companies...
. The Qtrax CEO, Allan Klepfisz, noted that his company's web site was being accessed by 22,000 users per millisecond, and 25 million songs were available. Lance Ford, Qtrax sales manager, announced that company's advertisers included Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
, H&M, Burger King
Burger King
Burger King, often abbreviated as BK, is a global chain of hamburger fast food restaurants headquartered in unincorporated Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The company began in 1953 as Insta-Burger King, a Jacksonville, Florida-based restaurant chain...
, and Boost Mobile. The multi-million dollar launch included concerts by LL Cool J
LL Cool J
James Todd Smith , better known as LL Cool J , is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and actor...
, Don Henley
Don Henley
Donald Hugh "Don" Henley is an American singer, songwriter and drummer, best known as a founding member of the Eagles before launching a successful solo career. Henley was the drummer and lead vocalist for the Eagles from 1971–1980, when the band broke up...
of the Eagles, and James Blunt
James Blunt
James Hillier Blount , better known by his stage name James Blunt, is an English singer-songwriter and musician, and former army officer, whose debut album, Back to Bedlam and single releases, including "You're Beautiful" and "Goodbye My Lover", brought him to fame in 2005...
. In the days leading up to the announcement, the stock price of Qtrax's parent company, Brilliant Digital, reached a 52 week high. However, within days, it became clear to the media that all of the material claims made by the company were untrue. It did not have licenses with any of the four major record labels, its music would not play on Apple iPods, it did not have the advertising customers it claimed, nor was its software ready for launch. Analysts soon pointed out that their claim of 22,000 users per millisecond would mean that the company had over 79 billion users, more than the entire population of earth, and that the supposed 25 million digital tracks available, around four times what Apple iTunes then offered, exceed the number of sound recordings that had ever been digitalized in the history of the world at that time.
When pressed to explain the events, Qtrax stated that they felt they had "been unfairly crucified because a competitor tried to damage" them, and that they did "have industry agreements including with the major labels." although the "ink hadn't dried" on some of the deals. Qtrax also announced that it still planned to deliver on its promises "within months.".
In January 2008, the internet policing company, Web Sheriff
Web Sheriff
Web Sheriff is an anti-piracy company based in the United Kingdom that provides intellectual property, copyright and privacy rights protection services for a range of clients that include record labels, musical artists, media organizations, and celebrities. The company monitors various websites...
notified Qtrax that regardless of whether the music companies supported the service, individual artists would have to give their approval. It was also reported that many of the images on the Qtrax web site were unlicensed.
The files utilized Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
's Windows Media digital rights management
Digital rights management
Digital rights management is a class of access control technologies that are used by hardware manufacturers, publishers, copyright holders and individuals with the intent to limit the use of digital content and devices after sale. DRM is any technology that inhibits uses of digital content that...
technology, restricting usage of files. Music downloaded from Qtrax could only be played within the Qtrax client and could not be transferred to a portable media device.
The service was only offered to US residents for a brief beta period, but Qtrax has announced it will soon be offered in the Asia Pacific region.
Contracts
As of March 20, 2009, the following is a list of the currently signed contracts:- EMIEMIThe EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
Music Publishing - finetunes
- Sony/ATV Music PublishingSony/ATV Music PublishingSony/ATV Music Publishing is a music publishing company co-owned by The Michael Jackson Family Trust and Sony. The organisation was originally founded as Associated TeleVision in 1955 by Lew Grade. In 1957, ATV acquired Pye Records as a wholly owned subsidiary...
- TVT RecordsTVT RecordsTVT Records was an independent US record label founded by Steve Gottlieb. Over the course of its 25 year history the label released some 25 Gold, Platinum and Multi-platinum releases. Its roster included Nine Inch Nails, Ja Rule, Lil Jon, Underworld, The KLF, Sevendust, Brian Jonestown Massacre and...
- Warner Music GroupWarner Music GroupWarner Music Group is the third largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry, making it one of the big four record companies...
- EMI Music North America
- Sony BMG Music EntertainmentSony BMG Music EntertainmentSony BMG Music Entertainment was a recorded music company, which was a 50–50 joint venture between the Sony Corporation of America and Bertelsmann AG...
On 6 May 2008, UMG (Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...
), the largest of the record labels, signed a deal with Qtrax. Qtrax stated that the entire catalogue of songs from artists under the Universal label will be available on Qtrax. Qtrax also has an agreement with the Chinese search engine Baidu, where Baidu will send music related querries to Qtrax from its entertainment portal and music site.
Global release
As of late 2009, the company has missed all of its announced North American launch dates. On October 12, 2009, Qtrax announced dates for its intended rollout in nine countries in the Asia Pacific, but this did not take place.As of 2011, the company has successfully launched in eleven countries:
- United States
- Canada
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Fiji
- Hong Kong
- Argentina
- Chile
- Colombia
- Mexico
- Dominican Republic
Criticism
On March 18, 2008, Italian digital music website MusicBlob found that apparently several CD compilations of the Ultra Rare Trax series, a pirate CD series circulated on CD during the 1990s and dedicated to artists such as KLF, KraftwerkKraftwerk
Kraftwerk is an influential electronic music band from Düsseldorf, Germany. The group was formed by Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider in 1970, and was fronted by them until Schneider's departure in 2008...
, Duran Duran
Duran Duran
Duran Duran are an English band, formed in Birmingham in 1978. They were one of the most successful bands of the 1980s and a leading band in the MTV-driven "Second British Invasion" of the United States...
and others, are listed in the Qtrax catalogue as if they were legitimate release.
It has been reported on the James Kilgour Blog, that Qtrax is currently being sued by Oracle USA, in a lawsuit filled in California on the 21st.