Warner Music Group Corp. [
WMG]
became the third major label to join Nokia Oyg's [
NOK] Comes With Music mobile initiative, agreeing to a partnership under which it will supply content to owners of Nokia's mobile devices. Warner's deal follows arrangements between Nokia and rival major labels Universal Music Group and Sony BMG Music Entertainment Inc., while Nokia is said to have been
close to a deal with EMI Group plc for some time.
The Comes With Music plan will allow unlimited downloads of the labels' music for one year after the customer buys a new cell phone, with the song files remaining on the device for the remaining lifespan of the device. (After one year, the customer can either renew their service or start paying for downloads.) The files
will be copy-protected by
DRM software, so that they cannot be transferred to iPods or similar devices.
The deal comes a day after RealNetworks Inc. [
RNWK]
said its new
V CAST service, launched in conjunction with Verizon Wireless, will provide over-the-air downloads to Verizon's customers. Customers paying $1.99 per song will receive two copies: one for their phones and a DRM-free copy for their PCs. The companies are also extending RealNetworks' Rhapsody subscription service to Verizon's mobile customers.
-- Paul BonanosSee July 1 press release from Warner Music Group and NokiaSee June 30 post on RealNetworks, Rhapsody and Verizon Wireless from Tech Confidential
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