EMI are in real ad-funded service licensing mode this week. Having confirmed they had signed up to US based ad-funded digital music service SpiralFrog earlier this week, the major yesterday announced it was the latest major to sign up to Qtrax, the company who are attempting to launch a licensed P2P file-sharing network. EMI tracks will be available for free via Qtrax, though users will have to make regular trips to the P2P outfit’s website to keep tracks valid.
Qtrax founder Allan Klepfisz told reporters: "This is a revolutionary time for the music industry. [EMI boss] Guy Hands and EMI Music have demonstrated great vision and leadership and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have their support. Music fans will soon be able to legally download tracks from EMI’s rich, storied catalogue, giving them access to one of the world’s largest repertoires of music".
Qtrax already have Beggars, Universal and all four major publishers on board.