efolkMusic.com Offers Open-Format Ogg Vorbis Downloads

Market Wire, 20050229

"Most people think that mp3 is an open-source format, and they are wrong," says efolkMusic CMO (Chief Musical Officer) Chris Frank,. "and we are giving the marketplace the opportunity to try an alternative, truly open format, Ogg Vorbis.

"Most consumers aren't aware of the requirements to license the technology from the original developer Fraunhofer and other MPEG Consortium members," Frank says, "but they will be when the costs are passed along to them." Being a "folk" site, efolkMusic is well suited to carry the open-source banner, and is in the process of formatting their entire catalog in Ogg Vorbis format.

efolkMusic.com is a "filtered" artist promotion and cd/download distribution site that is rapidly becoming a premier site for folk, bluegrass, Celtic and roots-rock downloads and cds. "Our user base is growing primarily because of the high quality of our music," says Frank. "You don't have to wade thru the muck to find good music, because that's the only kind we have. Like the folks at wine.com say, we sniff, swirl and spit so you don't have to. Also, we are selling downloads at a realistic price of 49 cents each, which is proving to be a price point that is enticing buyers."

Frank believes the failure of sites such as emusic.com to create substantial download sales is not caused by a flawed business model, but instead due to overpricing. "I think it will be awhile before large numbers of people get there music streamed on demand," he says, "but they will buy a good product at a reasonable price right now."

Ogg Vorbis (file extension .ogg) is a new audio compression format, roughly comparable to other formats used to store and play digital music, such as MP3, VQF, AAC, and other digital audio formats. It is different from these other formats because it is completely free, open, and unpatented. Development has been funded by iCAST, a majority-owned operating company of CMGI, Inc, As a technology leader in the digital music space, iCAST is helping OggVorbis improve and reach the rest of the digital music world.

Currently available for free Ogg Vorbis download are songs by Natalie MacMaster, Doc Watson, The Red Clay Ramblers, Mike Craver, The Sevens, and Don Dixon, with more added daily.

efolkMusic has also announced content-provider partnerships with listen.com, rioport.com, and SearchByMedia.com.

www.efolkmusic.com