Official Ares Free Download

p2pnet news view Music:- “Music ingestion Down Under is taking a little longer than expected,”  says Qtrax on its site today.

It’s on again, off again, up again, down again, and now it’s failed to meet a launch date.

Again.

CEO Allan Klepfisz (right) says he now expects the Australian launch “to take place later this month,” says the Financial Times, going on:

“Qtrax came to prominence in January 2008 when it staged a lavish event at a music conference in Cannes, promising a revolutionary plan for the first advertising-supported free legal download site.

“It was forced to admit, however, that the agreements it had claimed to have with big recorded music companies had not been finalised.”

In February, “Qtrax says it has deals with Warner Music, EMI, Vivendi Universal and Sony BMG’s RIAA, members of the Big 4 organised music cartel, just like other corporate efforts to cash in on the online music phenomenon,” reported p2pnet.

But, Warner Music, “undermined that claim, declaring in a statement that it ‘has not authorized the use of our content on Qtrax’s recently announced service’,” said the Associated Press, going on:

“Universal Music Group and EMI Group PLC later confirmed they did not have licensing deals in place with Qtrax, noting discussions were still ongoing. A call to Sony BMG Music Entertainment was not immediately returned.”

According to Klepfisz,  “Artists and record labels” are, “supporting Qtrax to stem a losing fight against stolen music,” said new.com.au.

“Warner Music Group and Qtrax, the worst fake-P2P music service this side of iMesh, have inked a deal that covers WMG’s catalog,” said Coolfer,  comparing a then current press release with another from September 2006.

The difference?

“In 2006, WMG called Qtrax ‘innovative’,” said the story, whereas this year’s, “could muster only the words ‘unique’ and ‘legal.’

“It’s like Qtrax gave WMG a pair of socks for Christmas.”

Now, “Qtrax is an absolute disaster,” CNet News has a music industry executive stating. “It’s an embarrassment.”

“What’s noteworthy about the most recent Qtrax setback is that typically Allan Klepfisz, the company’s founder, will do damage control with the media,” says the story, but this time,  “a music-sector heavyweight is out in front”.

And that’s ex-RIAA boss Jay Berman, “a Qtrax adviser”.

Qtrax “last week announced a deal with Baidu, the Chinese search engine,” says the FT.

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Financial Times – Blow to Qtrax as Aussie launch is delayed, November 10, 2009
p2pnet – Qtrax — ‘death knell’ for CDs, January 28, 2008

Associated Press – Qtrax Aims to Offer IPod-Friendly Tracks, January 28, 2008
The Register – $30m blown on Desperation Derby, January 27, 2008
Coolfer – WMG & Qtrax….oh, nevermind, February 11, 2009
CNet News – Former RIAA chief tries to save Qtrax image, November 11, 2009

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