EMI NOW READY FOR DOWNLOADS
Instead Of Getting Them Off Napster For Free
The company hopes to learn about consumer behavior and interests, while testing the reliability of various digital rights management systems.
EMI first announced a July 1 launch date for the digital downloads, before delaying the initiative, citing a need for further technical testing (hitsdailydouble.com, 5/9).
The company now plans to sell about 100 albums and 40 singles as digital downloads through traditional and online retailers. Recordings by EMI artists such as D'Angelo, dcTalk, Janet Jackson, Pink Floyd, Selena, Frank Sinatra, Spice Girls and Tina Turner have all been earmarked for the trial.
Liquid Audio, Supertracks and Amplified Holdings will provide fulfillment for the initiative, giving EMI access to possible retail partners including Amazon.com, Borders.com, Musicland, National Record Mart, Trans World Entertainment, Tower Records, Best Buy, HMV, CDnow, Virgin Megastore and the Coalition of Independent Music Stores. EMI has said it will sell no music through its own Web site.
