LOS ANGELES, Dec. 9, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Altnet, Inc., a subsidiary of Brilliant Digital Entertainment (AMEX:BDE), the leading provider of secure digital media via peer-to-peer technology, today announced a slate of new distribution agreements for classic rock and blues catalogs on independent music labels. Coming to Altnet are such Grammy winning and Billboard chart topping acts as Jethro Tull, Ike Turner, Otis Rush, Aaron Neville and Benny Mardones.
Altnet patented technology allows artists to be paid when users share their files on peer-to-peer file sharing applications. Unlike other Internet music download sites that limit the ability of artists and labels to market themselves, Altnet gives its customers direct control over their music distribution including the ability to dynamically set pricing, control promotional messaging and placement, and tools to maximize interaction with fans and consumers in a viral marketplace.
For music labels, Altnet offers an audience of over 100 million music fans worldwide through its relationships with peer-to-peer programs such as Kazaa and eDonkey and web search engines such as Excite's My Search. Altnet's Gold File Top Search service gives licensed music a special gold icon and top-of-the-list premium placement in search results and integrates a seamless payment system.
For music fans, Altnet offers a growing collection of mainstream and independent music from over two dozen labels as well as simple one-click purchasing and the PeerPoints(tm) program which rewards users for sharing Altnet licensed files.
Greg Ross, CEO of independent label Go Kart records said, "Altnet proves that people will pay for downloaded music, when it is delivered in an intelligent way at a fair price. If the RIAA and the major labels stopped suing people and spent their time working with a model that is as usable as Altnet's, they would make more money and stem the tide of illegally downloaded music."
In addition to music, Altnet also distributes a wide selection of video games, software and movies. "When given a chance, users will share licensed files just as much as unlicensed ones," said Derek Broes, EVP of Altnet. "We sweeten the pot by rewarding users for doing the right thing and sharing licensed files instead of unlicensed ones. The major labels have declined to offer file swappers a legitimate way to share files, even though Altnet has a proven system that ensures everyone can be paid. It's really their loss, but it gives a tremendous leg up to independent labels who work with us and our built-in audience. There is no need to lure users away from file sharing applications, the users are ready and willing to play fair as long as they have a role in the process," added Broes who is a featured speaker on the "Taming the Peer-to-Peer Beast" panel at the iHollywood Forum "Music 2.0: A Digital Music Summit" today.
About Altnet
Altnet is the leading peer-to-peer distributor of secure digital media that originates from content owners. Altnet reaches an estimated 100 million users and is the #1 issuer of rights managed music in world. Altnet's products integrate with websites, applications, and peer-to-peer networks to allow Internet users to simply and easily locate, download, sample, and purchase digital content. Altnet is a subsidiary of Brilliant Digital Entertainment (AMEX: BDE).