SYDNEY, Australia and WOODLAND HILLS, Calif., Jan. 21, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Songs for Life, an album of uplifting songs performed by prominent international recording artists who donated their time and talent to help raise funds for the fight against HIV/AIDS in southern Africa, is now available through Kazaa.
Sharman Networks Limited, the distributor of Kazaa, and Altnet, Inc., the leading provider of secure digital media via peer-to-peer technologies, together announced the joint agreement today. The sale of Songs for Life internationally is a result of Altnet's collaboration with JAM Entertainment and Music Group. All proceeds from Songs for Life will benefit The Royal Initiative to Combat AIDS (RICA), a U.S. not-for-profit organization aimed at combating the spread of the disease in southern Africa through education, research and treatment.
The album features new tracks, as well as remixes and previously released tracks by John Lennon, Paul Simon and Destiny's Child, chosen because they underscore the album's theme of unity, hope and brotherhood. In all, the album features 18 songs from artists including Mary J. Blige, Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle, Joan Osborne and Britney Spears. The release of the album on Kazaa is part of the international launch of Songs for Life, which was made available in the United States in October 2003.
Distributed by EMI-Capitol Records, coordinated by The Marshall Firm and promoted internationally by JAM, Songs for Life was produced under the guidance of the legendary Phil Ramone. Over the last three decades, Ramone has produced for some of the world's most successful recording artists, from Elton John to U2.
Sharman Networks Chief Executive Officer Nikki Hemming said, "We are delighted to offer Songs for Life on Kazaa, enabling millions of people to purchase a great selection of tracks and at the same time leveraging the power of peer-to-peer technology to help in the fight against AIDS and the devastating impact it's had on the people of southern Africa."
More than 60 million Kazaa users will be able to purchase the album for $13.99 or individual tracks for 99 cents each. Both the album and its tracks will be listed as Altnet Gold Icon files. Altnet's TopSearch Gold Icon listings give companies like JAM the opportunity to promote their music with premium placement. It also integrates a seamless payment system, allowing RICA to benefit each time the album or its tracks are shared and providing users with an easy way to download licensed content.
"The international launch of Songs for Life online represents an example of one of the many ways digital rights management technology and peer-to-peer technology can be leveraged, in this case to benefit an important cause," said Derek Broes, Executive Vice President of Worldwide Operations for Altnet. He added, "We are pleased that our patented technology provides an easy, efficient way for music lovers to hear and share great music while showing their commitment to this critical issue."
"Songs for Life is an amazing listening experience, and JAM is thrilled that Kazaa and Altnet have made it possible for music lovers worldwide to share in this important collaborative effort from some of the most gifted and well-known artists in the world," stated Chuck Armstrong, President and Chief Executive Officer, JAM Entertainment and Music Group. He added, "Through the efficiency and broad geographic reach of Kazaa and Altnet, millions of people will be able to hear songs of hope and inspiration, while at the same time supporting a great cause that needs their help."
For more information about Songs for Life and RICA's efforts to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS in southern Africa, please visit www.SongsforLife.com.
About Altnet
Altnet is the leading peer-to-peer distributor of secure digital media that originates from content owners. Altnet reaches an estimated 70 million users and is the number 1 issuer of rights managed music in the 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).
About Sharman Networks Ltd
Sharman Networks Limited distributes the popular Kazaa software, the leading peer-to-peer application that allows users to search, download, organize and interact with a variety of file types. Founded in 2002, Sharman Networks is a private company committed to distributing computing software applications that are pioneering the digital revolution. Sharman Networks is a worldwide operation. For more information about the Kazaa applications go to www.kazaa.com and for more information about Sharman Networks, please visit www.sharmannetworks.com.
About JAM Entertainment & Music Group
JAM's mission is to be the premier provider of "artist-driven" entertainment by building long-term relationships with both artists and customers. JAM was founded on The Artists Bill of Rights, which form the guiding principles of the company and are the guidelines for the highest caliber of artistic creation, ensuring performance-based compensation; artist control and creative freedom; and open royalty accounting. JAM's management team and advisors include some of the most respected names in the music industry, including Bob Johnston, a music industry veteran recognized as one of its pioneering artists, Charles E. (Chuck) Armstrong, who has over 20 years of experience in media, entertainment and the Internet, and Paul G. Marshall, recognized as one of the country's leading music attorneys.