|
Sony, IBM in e-music deal
|
 |
April 16, 1999: 10:04 a.m. ET
Companies will push digital song distribution, ensure copyright control
|
NEW YORK (CNNfn) - Technology giants IBM and Sony will combine their digital technologies to allow recording companies to sell music in electronic formats, while retaining copyright protection.
Under the terms of the collaboration, IBM (IBM) will provide its Electronic Music Management System, which enables Internet users to pay to download music. Sony (SNE), in turn, will protect the service from abuse with its MagicGate and OpenMG anti-piracy technologies.
The companies expect the arrangement, announced late Thursday, to accelerate digital retail as a viable and secure form of music distribution.
In particular, Sony's copyright protection technologies will give copyright holders greater control over unauthorized reproduction, quelling concerns of rampant Internet piracy that have sprung up around the controversial MP3 digital format.
"As an electronics company with strong commitments to the entertainment industry, Sony respects the rights of artists and other copyright holders," said Sunobu Horigome, president of Sony Corp.'s Digital Network Solutions Company.
"We share this vision with IBM, and we look forward to working together to propose to the music industry the technology solutions essential for establishing a secure platform that will offer consumers quick, convenient access to digital music content."
IBM stock slipped 7/8 to 176-7/8 at the opening Friday, while American depositary shares of Sony were unchanged at 100-13/16.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sony
IBM
|
Note: Pages will open in a new browser window
External sites are not endorsed by CNNmoney
|
|
|
|
 |
|
