Brian Garrity
A new for-pay digital music service being distributed through the Grokster peer-to-peer network in the U.S. is running afoul of the recording industry by selling unlimited access to major-label music without authorization.
Puretunes, based in Madrid, allows consumers to download all the MP3 files they want, in subscription packages ranging from $3.99 for eight hours of access to $168 for a year. The company does not have licensing deals with the major labels; however, it is vowing to compensate rights holders. Puretunes claims that since it has deals with the Spanish Association of Authors and Editors and the country’s Association of Artists, Performers, and Players, it is legal under Spain’s copyright law. Representatives for the two bodies were unavailable for comment.
Distribution was to begin yesterday (May 20); however, Grokster president Wayne Rosso says the effort had to be tabled shortly after launch due to overwhelming consumer response that flooded Puretunes’ servers.
– js.
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