London, October 28 2003, (netimperative)



by Chris Lake

Playlouder has teamed with Bulldog Communications to launch a music-based ISP that allows users to share songs, with the approval of a number of top independent labels.


The new venture, called Playlouder MSP ('music service provider'), will create a 'walled garden' where users can swap tracks by artists such as the White Stripes, Interpol, Pixies, Basement Jaxx and Dizzee Rascal, but not share these files outside of the Playlouder network.

The bundled service comprises broadband internet access - at "speeds previously unheard of" - and access to music owned by supporting labels including Beggars Group, XL Recordings and V2 Music, for a monthly fee.

Deals currently in place allow Playlouder MSP users to burn and transfer songs onto other devices. Playlouder MSP will also provide access to music news, information, offers and more rich content, including exclusive webcasts, radio streaming and a video jukebox.

Playlouder MSP has also secured the backing of MCPS-PRS, the licensing body responsible for collecting royalties on behalf of music publishers and songwriters, but as yet, the majors have yet to become a part of the new service.

Playlouder MSP director Paul Hitchman said: "License discussions are ongoing with all of the major record companies and so far they have been very positive. We aim to have at least some of the majors on board by commercial launch."

Hitchman would have been labelled an optimist this time last year, but yesterday's decision by EMI to license its back catalogue to P2P operator Wippit has paved the way for the majors to work more closely with web companies.

While BT might disagree with Playlouder's claim to be first to "work hand in hand with the music industry and pay royalties to artists" - it does this already via the OD2-powered dotmusic on demand service, as do others - this new bundled approach reflects the changing broadband landscape, with the next wave of broadband subscribers likely to upgrade their connections on the basis of services.

Trials will get underway next week, with a full commercial launch scheduled for the first calendar quarter of 2004. Price plans are still due to be confirmed but Hitchman said the package would start from about £25 per month, with the minimum contract duration likely to be set at 12 months.

with any luck the labels will maintain their pig headed approach and this service will be left to the indies.

I think it's a great idea. however I'm sceptical that the major labels will want to cooperate without some changes. for example they are still against open sharing without some kind of restriction format or encoding. They'll want a higher cut of the profit (they still see .99 cent songs) and I'm sure there are others. Great start. it'll be a tough sell but so far this seems the fairest way I've seen so far.

but then again, who the hell needs the Majors

Yes, compmore, maybe the "Majors" are not really needed.

The idea of a file sharing service which caters primarily to indie (read 'non-RIAA') music is intriguing. To get a large following, though, it would probably be desirable to get some well known songs on the service.

What about using songs by certain well known mix masters like DJ Doboy? I think it is considered 'legal' to share Doboy's mix music (there is a web site with a Pay Pal set up for fans to send contributions to Doboy).

what would really be great is that this could be a vehicle for those popular artists who are fed up with the majors and want to break off once their contracts are up.

"what would really be great is that this could be a vehicle for those popular artists"

or for the little guy that's just starting out on a shoestring budget and is in dire need of some type of exposure...

Although the basic package is a little expensive when one considers that it is around $42.25 in US dollars per month! And I wonder if it is already discounted by purchasing it for an entire year to get that price?

What does it do besides allowing you to download and share files? Make you coffee and wash your clothes as well???

I don't foresee this even getting off the ground at that rate...

Someone rings the bell again for the death toll of the RIAA and like. They will be desparate to close this site down. Any way possible. It stands for the very things it can not have or stand for.

Look out for the dirty tricks department for it will be in full swing as it is unlikely that there will be a way to close it legally.