NEWS
Stop-start Qtrax launches in Oz
09 March 2011
After a number of false starts, free ad-supported music download service Qtrax has finally gone live in Australia.
New York-based President & CEO, Allan Klepfisz says, “This is the beginning of clawing back revenue for Australian artists from the arguably 90%+ of their earnings that have been lost to piracy. While at the same time providing an exciting consumer experience. We fervently believe we can accomplish these goals while building a profitable and valuable business."
Australia is part of an initial-roll out to 30 countries, which included New Zealand, Canada, Hong Kong and Fiji.
Some skepticism surrounds the Qtrax (re)launch, and whether it will provide real competition to the likes of MOG, Rhapsody, Pandora and Spotify.
It launched at MIDEM 2008 claiming it had 25 million tracks and with all the major record companies on board. Its executives were left red-faced when it turned out that no such deals were in place. It did sign some up later but Qtrax never took off due to DRM restrictions.
This time it is operating with short-term “trial” licenses from at least three of the four major labels and some indies. According to Billboard, the labels granted these short term deals so that Qtrax could pay them back for when it gained licensing last time around.
The Australian launch has some sentimental value for Qtrax founder Klepfisz. He is an Australian, who grew up in Melbourne. He moved to New York to be closer to the major record companies and publishers to launch his brainchild.
"Australians both produce and consume music at a very high rate per capita,” he reckons. “I suppose it is where my love for music first developed. And bringing back to Australia that which so many Australians clearly want is very satisfying.”
Whether this is what Australians clearly want will be decided over the next few months.
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