EMI Music Publishing has entered into a new deal with Skype, the internet telephony company which I'm pretty sure is owned by eBay. The deal, which EMI say is the first of its kind, will make songs in the publishing company's catalogue available for use in Skype's soon to be launched online retail store, which may include downloading, subscription or mastertone services.
The innovative bit of the deal is that Skype will be able to utilise EMI's catalogue on a global basis. Previously publishing deals have been restricted to one or another territory, meaning global internet players must reach agreements with a plethora of local publishing firms. The new deal will allow Skype to utilise the music of the songwriters EMI represents on a worldwide basis.
Confirming the deal, Roger Faxon Co-CEO of EMI Music Publishing told reporters: "It has been a great pleasure for us at EMI MP to be working with Skype to bring a range of innovative services to consumers across the globe. I would like to single out Mike McGinley of Skype and Clark Miller of EMI MP whose ability to look beyond the restrictions of current deal models made this groundbreaking initiative possible. I would be remiss if I did not also thank the MCPS/PRS Alliance in the UK for the cooperative spirit that they have brought to the development of this new approach to the licensing of music. We could not have better partners than Skype and MCPS/PRS in our ongoing effort to break down the barriers of online licensing of music. EMI MP is committed to bringing the best music in the world to all the consumers of the world and this deal is a major step in fulfilling that goal".