HAMBURG, Germany, and REDMOND, Wash., May 22, 2000 — edel music AG and Microsoft Corp. today announced that edel will begin to make titles from its substantial music catalog available for online distribution in Microsoft® Windows Media™
Format within the next three months. Taking a major step forward in the digital distribution of music, edel is choosing Microsoft Windows Media as a preferred technology platform for the commercial deployment of its catalog through online distributors. edel will offer preview music clips, secure downloads and music videos from its music library and will participate in broadband streaming media trials this year in the Netherlands, Germany and the United Kingdom.
edel music is the largest European-based independent record company, with operations in more than 15 countries in North America, Latin America and Asia. The edel catalog covers a broad range of genres including pop, dance, rock/alternative, jazz, classical and children’s music, with top international acts such as Ace of Base, Goo Goo Dolls, Sash!, Scooter and Public Enemy, in addition to German superstars Echt, Bluemchen and Stefan Raab.
Previews and secure downloads from the edel library will be available to music fans worldwide through edel’s and its partners’ Web sites and will be featured at WindowsMedia.com, the MSN™
guide to audio and video content on the Internet.
Music will be encoded in the Windows Media Format, providing fans with CD-quality audio. In addition, edel will use Windows Media digital rights management technology to protect against piracy. Windows Media has been licensed for use in the major digital music players, jukeboxes and portable music devices, providing edel music with the largest installed base of rights-protected players, jukeboxes and devices and ensuring it the broadest possible reach.
“Microsoft Windows Media Format meets our needs for streaming and secure downloads of music on the Internet,”
said Michael Haentjes, founder and CEO of edel.
“Its quality, reach and security plus Microsoft’s support and expertise will help us bring our music online in a flexible and secure way.”
“edel offers music that appeals to audiences worldwide, and Windows Media provides the best-of-breed technology and international breadth that edel needs to reach them,”
said Dave Fester, general manager of marketing for the Digital Media Division at Microsoft.
“With Windows Media, music fans around the world will have access to edel’s rich and diverse catalog.”
About edel music
edel music AG, founded in 1986 and floated at the Frankfurt stock exchange in 1998, is based in Hamburg, Germany. With a global network of affiliates and partnerships in all music markets, edel music is the largest European-based independent music group. It is engaged in all aspects of the music business, from the development and marketing of new acts and concepts to CD manufacturing and distribution. edel is the majority stake owner of the leading alternative music company Play It Again Sam, and also represents top labels like Walt Disney Records, Hollywood Records, Roadrunner and Castle.
About WindowsMedia.com
WindowsMedia.com ( http://windowsmedia.com/ ), part of the MSN 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 from more than 1,900 radio stations and more than 1,000 content providers.
About Windows Media
Windows Media, the leading digital media platform, provides consumers, content providers, solution providers, software developers and corporations with unmatched audio and video quality. Windows Media Technologies, which include Windows Media Player, Windows Media Services, Windows Media Tools and the Windows Media Software Development Kit (SDK), are available for download at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/ . The Windows Media Player is the fastest-growing digital media player and is available in 24 languages. To date, there are over 100 million licensed copies of the Windows Media Player, growing by more than one every second.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies 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.
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