Supertracks and Microsoft Announce Windows Media Digital Rights Technology Integration for New Music Download and Promotion System

SAN JOSE, Calif., Dec. 7, 1999 — Today at Streaming Media West ’99, Supertracks Inc., a new company founded by music industry and technology professionals to provide complete music download solutions and services for retailers, announced support for Windows Media TM Technologies, Microsoft’s digital media platform. Windows Media, featuring superior CD-quality audio and digital rights management technologies, enables Supertracks to use Microsoft’s digital rights management technologies to provide digital distribution of music (DDM) to retailers.

“Microsoft® Windows Media is fast becoming one of the most trusted and widely used technologies for digital rights management in the Internet music market,”
said Charles Jennings, co-founder and CEO of Supertracks.
“Particularly in light of today’s announcement between Microsoft and Preview Systems Inc. — that Preview Systems will support Windows Media digital rights management — and given that Preview’s technology is our core platform, we will have a strong new solution for DDM.”

Supertracks will work with Microsoft Corp. to optimize the operation of Windows Media digital rights management technology with other elements of the Supertracks solution, including those that manage digital commerce and clearinghouse operations. The two companies also intend to work strategically to develop the general market for DDM.

“Supertracks is well-positioned to be a key player in the market for commercial, electronic music distribution services,”
said Will Poole, general manager of marketing and business development, Streaming Media Division, Microsoft.
“This support is another important step toward the goal of realizing the great potential of the Internet to deliver high-quality digital music to consumers.”

Windows Media is rapidly gaining support from consumers and all industry segments. PC Data recently announced the Windows Media Player was the fastest-growing media player among media player users. Major labels EMI Recorded Music, Warner Music Group Inc., Sony Music Entertainment and BMG Entertainment have announced support, as have device manufacturers Diamond Multimedia Systems Inc., Creative Labs Inc., Sony and, announced today, THOMSON multimedia S.A.’s RCA LYRA. Among music portals, musicmaker.com, Tunes.com and Virgin Megastores have announced support.

“Windows Media is one of a small number of highly secure environments for online distribution of music, and we’re pleased to see that Supertracks is able to support it,”
said Jeremy Silver, vice president of new media at EMI.
“This is the type of cooperation between leading technology and service providers that will help build rapid growth in the market for digital distribution of music.”

About Supertracks

Supertracks develops and operates end-to-end solutions for digital distribution of music. The company maximizes Internet distribution methods to support the retailer, including complete e-commerce solutions and promotions. Supertracks also provides services to support record labels, including content preparation, hosting and distribution. Supertracks is committed to helping retailers and labels ensure a completely satisfying experience for the consumer. The company answers the needs of both retailers and labels by utilizing best-of breed technologies to provide flexible architectures, digital rights management systems and high levels of security. Supertracks is a member of the Secure Digital Music Initiative (SDMI) and actively supports SDMI initiatives.

About WindowsMedia.com

WindowsMedia.com ( http://windowsmedia.com/ ), part of the MSN TM network of Internet services, is among the fastest-growing major audio and video guides on the Internet. WindowsMedia.com provides access to localized audio and video content worldwide, including major music and video events and entertainment from more than 1,000 content providers.

About Windows Media Technologies

Windows Media Technologies is the leading digital media platform, providing consumers, content providers, solution providers, software developers and corporations with unmatched audio and video quality. Windows Media Technologies 4, which includes Windows Media Player, Windows Media Services, Windows Media Tools and the Windows Media SDK, is available for free* download at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/ . The Windows Media Player is the fastest growing media player. More than 50 million copies have been downloaded to date — growing by more than one every second.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software — any time, any place and on any device.

Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ on Microsoft’s corporate information pages.

Related Posts