Webtv Europe & Universal Music UK Announce Secure Digital Music Deal for Mobiles

Business Wire, April 27, 2004

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AMSTERDAM, Netherlands--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 27, 2004

Universal Music UK, the world's leading music company, has signed a deal with UK-based Webtv Europe plc to enable the secure distribution of its music and video portfolio to mobile phones and hand-held devices.

The deal follows the successful completion of a series of tests by Universal Music UK on Digital Rights Management software supplied by Webtv Europe which will protect artists against copyright infringement and fraud.

Universal Music UK currently has 26 per cent of the UK music sector including major artists such as U2, Keane, Scissor Sisters and Daniel Bedingfield. Its portfolio includes over 300,000 digitised tracks.

Webtv Europe announced the deal at the telecommunications industry's trade fair, World Telemedia, which opened in Amsterdam this week.

Rob Wells, Group Director of New Media for Universal Music UK, said: "Establishing a secure and efficient route to market for digital entertainment is vital to the future development of our industry. Webtv Europe has succeeded in putting together a business model that meets our requirements for both security and efficiency. This is great news for both our customers and for our artists."

On Tuesday World Telemedia witnessed the 'world's first collective download' of these quality videoclips - ironically to a group of people who are more used to wearing Armani suits than Diesel Jeans. This is expected to change.

Andy Baker, managing director of Webtv Europe, added: "This deal is extremely good for consumers. They have for a long time been asking to be able to have high quality content. This agreement will allow them for the first time, easy and simple access to a wealth of music and videos."

The company confirmed that network operators One World Interactive, a provider of access and billing solutions for interactive content, and Opera Telecom will be the first distributors for the service. A number of other providers will be announced shortly.

Nigel Tatlock, chief operating officer for One World Interactive, said: "This is a major scoop for Webtv Europe. And it is a significant deal for us. Millions of music fans will now be able to access high quality digital entertainment packages on mobiles and handhelds."

Gary Corbett, the managing director of Opera Telecom, said: "Protecting the rights of artists and the major labels has always been the stumbling-block for the mobile industry - a medium where people expect to pay reasonable rates for a quality product. Now that we have achieved this, there will be no going back."

Editor's Notes

Webtv Europe

Webtv Europe plc, based in the UK, was established to offer content providers a secure platform for the efficient distribution and sale of the digital product portfolios. The company is uniquely positioned to service high volume mainstream content providers having established a state of the art digital rights management software platform for content, and by offering a delivery service for distribution through a wide variety of content platforms. There are now over 38 million mobiles in the UK capable of accepting multimedia downloads.

Universal Music

Universal Music Group (UMG) is the world's leading music company. Its global operations encompass the development, manufacture, marketing, sales and distribution of recorded music through a network of subsidiaries, joint ventures and licensees in 71 countries, representing 98% of the global music market. UMG's businesses also include music publishing, and mail order music/video clubs.

UMG is the global market leader and the leader in 65% of the markets where it operates including the U.S., U.K., Germany, France, Canada, Italy and Australia. With over 10,700 employees worldwide, UMG leads the music industry in global sales with an estimated worldwide market share in 2003 of 23.6%.

Issued by The TDM Group on behalf of Webtv Europe plc.

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