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The speed of Qtrax downloads is unbelievable! It is only taking between two and three seconds per song to download!
I just downloaded 83 songs from "The British Invasion: History of British Rock, Vols 1-9" in no time! It still amazes me that I can just go get this stuff FOR FREE! LEGALLY!!!!!!
-KTF!
Kishmech, thanks, but remember, don't listen to me, I'm just a pumper
But I would KTF anyway !!!!
I do not expect the marketing to be "Midem Style". There will be a grass roots effort - very targeted - to the main demographic they've been after since day one.
This thing will grow like wildfire all by itself, IMO, now that portability will be activated (it's always been there, just turned off). True, no iPod, but NOBODY has iPod except for Apple. This will be Apple's downfall because worldwide, the iPod is miniscule in the MP3 player market. Although Apple has the iPhone, the player is still an iPod and will not play Microsoft WMP DRM files. Their loss.
In reality, here in the US, we are behind the technology. Japan, Europe, Asia, even the Middle East is more advanced than we are. They don't have the FCC and deep-funded lobbyists like we do here! They can move fast because most of that telecom infrastructure is privatized.
We will see most music, in the future, consumed on phones, not MP3 players. Who wants to carry around another device? If I could ditch one, I sure would! The phone is where it's at. And Version 1.0 will allow you to offload your tracks to any phone that is WMP compatible (just about most). This is where Microsoft is winning against Apple. They are being embedded in the phones. I also think that Qtrax will be this way too! Download right to your phone and bypass your computer. That's the wave of the future, but this is still probably a year or two away in the US. Maybe not in the rest of the world though.
Anyway, enough talking.
Like some of us have always said - great things to come! This is just the start folks. (If that's pumping, then so be it!)
KKKKTTTTFFFF !!!!!!
Read it and weep! VERSION 1.0 WITH PORTABILITY !
This will be with ALL FOUR MAJORS, the world's largest INDIES, foreign labels, and so much more !!!!!
There's even a message to us Beta Users.
Yep, this is surely the product of a bankrupt company all right.
- KKKKKTTTTTTFFFFFFFF !!!!!!!!! Weeeeeeeeeeee!
Yep - here we go again !!!!!!!!!!!
We'll see who laughs last. UP 22.22% at 4,285,395 shares.
Hey-question for you - if you are so down on this stock, how come you answer a post WITHIN SECONDS ??????!!!!!!!! You are monitoring this board like your lives depended on it !!!!!! Have no life I guess.....
-KKKKKTF!
AK, I CONCUR with your post!
The birdies are about to hit center stage in the next day or two!
KTF!
Patty, I NEVER said I know someone on the inside. I also never mentioned anything about a "He." Get your facts straight.
Also, READ before you reply - I said call THEM. There's not just one person working there you know.
And I think we should all realize that at least BLLN stock is still alive and kicking. How about the people who invested in some of the "Blue Chip" and Dow, and Fortune 500 stocks who have NOTHING to show for their investments. How about the bazillions of people who invested with Madoff that now have nothing?
At least we have the hope of the potential of this stock. Those folks have zip, zilch, nada. Not even a HOPE of something.
Stop whinning.
-KTF!
Yeah - this stock sucks. Everyone sell!
(I need more shares! )
Don't fall for non-factual bashing. We've already been through this. Lopaka, I agree with your post!
If anyone wanted to get out, they've had numerous opportunities. Why sell when it's at this low point? Personally, I'm here till it either FLIES or DIES. And my bet is on the flying half.
Spirits are high at Qtrax HQ. Nobody there is worried. Call them - you'll hear it in their voices.
-I AM KTF (and would love to gobble up more shares! I've been accumulating. I'm with CA$H, Yum Yum!)
I am buying more too!
AK, you are right on the money with your assessment. I can't say exactly when for two reasons: 1. I believe it's still up in the air (in Warner's hands, not Qtrax) and 2. if my projection is wrong, the board will hang me.
But it is happening! GLOBALLY!
-KTF
Sirocco, I don't understand your question about 'compensation.' A shareholder's compensation happens in two ways. The first one is that the corporation can declare a dividend, which in essence is a distribution of profits This is common with stable, mature companies. The second is the share price. In BLLN's case, that's what we are looking for. There is no other compensation.
If you are talking about a total buy-out of Qtrax, again, that will be reflected in the share price of BLLN, because there will be cash coming in to the company; but BLLN as a company, would still exist. The only time a BLLN shareholder would get 'compensation' in a form other than a dividend or increase in stock price, is if BLLN as a company is sold. Then you would get x number of dollars/cents for each share you hold.
Does this help?
KTF!
sirocco, Qtrax is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BLLN. BLLN owns it, along with the private investors. So if good things happen to Qtrax, then BLLN (and it's shareholders) benefit too. Even if it's sold, merged, spun-off, etc, BLLN, as a stakeholder, will get money.
I have said long ago, that I thought the other assets that BLLN holds are not worth anything. Their major holding is LTDNetworks, Inc. a subsidiary corporateion (creator of Qtrax).
-KTF!
IMO - selling shares of BLLN right now would be a very foolish, short-sighted move. That's all I'm going to say.
-I AM KTF!
Thanks for your post dogcat.
Keep in mind:
IMO, the bigger plan is to eventually sell to deep, deep pockets, where all debt is paid off and the Qtrax product is free-and-clear. And the stockholders make their money. That's when the big bucks will come into play. NOT when revenue from ads begins to flow - that's just when the company becomes much more valuable. The rewards will come at the time of the sale of the service (and the accompanying licenses).
I've read all the old filings during my initial DD, and I believed in the service when I initially invested, and I believe in it even more. So do the labels. They are not in this for the initial up-front fees. That's tiny compared to world-wide advertising revenue from the world's first and only FREE P2P Music Service. I expect that the labels have also secured EQUITY positions in Qtrax. They WANT Qtrax to succeed.
I AM KTF.
Good things coming to a computer in front of you ...
All IMO.
Interesting article about the death of the iPod. It's from October '08, but still a very interesting read! Bodes well for Qtrax.
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Extra/why-the-ipod-is-doomed.aspx
KTF!
sirocco, all I can say is that I am not worried in the least.
I am KTF.
qcrap - YOU are full of crap.
Here's an example - I quote from your post:
"I am a shareholder and a large one at that."
Yet you are steadfastly trashing every facet of this company, without really knowing ANYTHING about what it is really going on. IF this stock is SO BAD, why on earth are you still holding shares????!!!!!! Right.
Here's another quote:
"Youy guys are so gullable!"
Besides your 2 typos, I assume you are including yourself in this gullible group, since you are such a "large" shareholder.
You are so full of CRAP and contradictions. Actually, I like your handle because it describles you to a T. Except it's backwards - it should be CRAPQ because you don't know CRAP about the Q.
Also, I don't appreciate being called a pumper. I bring FACTS to the board, where I can. Not conjecture, not throwing up history we all already know (and are still here I might add, despite admitted mistakes). I still picture you as a fat 500lb "Biggest Loser face-stuffing, full of CRAP, don't know anything, but have all the answers" person. Please go away. You work for Apple?!!!
PS: for everyone else, either he really does work for a competitor, or he sold his shares and is mad that they are up almost 100% and is know kicking the CRAP out of himself. He's trying to manipulate the stock lower, so he can buy back in. That's what I think.
And CRAP, DON'T ask for me for a bunch of whatever proof you will demand/challenge. This is my last post to you, or in reply to one of your sorry posts. I won't waste any more of my valuable time on you. I have better things to do.
IGNORE. IGNORE. IGNORE. That's the best way to deal with this CRAPPER.
-I am KTF!
qcrap = r2d2
Crappy, your arguments could hold water if your facts were correct. They're not.
Your business assessment that this is a doomed company is contradicted by the fact that you stated that you're still long and holding on to your shares. My question is: why, if your so negative on Qtrax?.
Your spelling, grammar and sentence structure does not give the reader confidence that you know what you're talking about.
Put your money where your mouth is. Sell your BLLN and walk away. Cut your losses. If you have facts, post them. If not, be quiet.
To me, you're like the face-stuffing 500lb couch pototo that can't walk up a flight of stairs, yelling instructions to the 'stupid' quarterback through the tv.
If you think you can do a better job, call Allan up and give him your ideas. I'm sure they could use all the help they can get. But they might have to compensate you with stock options, not cash. They need that for the labels.
I am KTF!
If you remember, it was WARNER who was the first to proclaim at Midem that they did not have a signed contract for Qtrax's new model (Free, Unlimited P2P).
Also remember that they DID have a contract (actually all FOUR labels did) with Qtrax, but they expired 12/31/07 AND they were for a different tracking/pricing scheme.
Warner plays hardball. But Qtrax is up to the game. And will win, IMO.
KTF! :)
I cannot comment on whether it's done or not. I don't work for Qtrax. Even if I did, I certainly couldn't say until it was officially announced. But I am very optimistic!
My 'out of their control' comment was speaking about this whole process - this past year and the Midem conference of 2008 fiasco. The competition in this realm is fierce because there will only be a few survivors. Everyone knows this.
If you don't believe me, then why do you think Apple changed their model? Yes, I believe that one of the main reasons is Qtrax. We are a HUGE threat to anyone who is selling music. That's gargantuan.
IMO.
KTF!
Didn't mean to be ominous. I'm just tired of people telling AK to get off his duff, when they haven't the foggiest idea what his life has been like over the past years.
It's like the fat-a$$ed 500 lb. couch potato dude stuffing his face with sausages, beer and twizzlers, yelling at the quarterback through the TV to 'do something, you idiot!'
Until one has lived in another's shoes, and know what's really going on, they have no right to judge or yell at the other person.
I don't see any of us doing what AK is doing.
AK is performing admirably - and like I've said, the fact that we are all still here and Qtrax is still alive and kicking is a testament to his tenacity and faith that he's on the right track. Lesser men would have given up LONG ago.
-KTF!
Just think about it for a sec. It's not rocket science.
Shot - Let me just say that some things are NOT within Qtrax's control.
-KTF
Folks, lets keep this in perspective.
First of all, if anyone doesn't think the Qtrax concept is viable, then simply vote with your feet, take your money and walk. Insinuations of shady characters, pumping, etc. is not appreciated or welcomed.
If you're honest with yourselves, you are all here (me too!) for the BIG PAYDAY, not the small movement in the stock. Also, most of us are in this until it either goes boom or bust. Some trade this and that's ok. The swings are usually small relative to the potential, IMO. The trends, however, can yield big losses and big gains - depends on your timing skills. I don't do that - I don't have the time or the desire.
The truth is in the Risk-Reward ratio. We all know what it is - the bigger the reward, the bigger the risk (yes, I stated that in reverse, I know). So if you're ok with the risk, then I say hang with it. Otherwise, put your money elsewhere.
What nobody seems to understand is the incredible complexity of what Qtrax is dealing with. I won't even go into it 'cause I'd have to write a book. But it is excruciatingly complicated. And the fact that Qtrax and AK have hung in there (at considerable personal expense) and Qtrax is still viable, is nothing short of a miracle in my mind.
I have quit agonizing over the daily swings on this. I am, as I have always said, in this for the long-term opportunity and hopeful reward. Daily movement, although it can be emotionally draining, is irrelevant in my world. I've stopped worrying about it.
-KTF
IMO, this pause in the rise of the PPS is a buying opportunity.
-KTF!
Hi Everyone - just checking in for a sec to see what's shakin' on the board. Hmmmmm, I see not much has changed! But everyone has a right to their opinion and outlook.
I gotta chime in here for a moment. On the issue of DRM, I suspect that long-term, DRM will go away. The main reason I say this is: currently, Qtrax is planning on compensating the labels/artists based on the number of PLAYS of a song. That's why they need the DRM. It tracks the plays. Eventually, they will change to counting the number of DOWNLOADS of a song. Once they do this, they really won't care about whether you can burn it to a CD or not. Besides, look at Apple. Even with their old DRM in place, you could still burn the song onto a CD (a certain number of times). The labels weren't concerned about this, because it's a chore, requires you to buy media, and it takes time.
The only reason that people exchange music with each other is because IT'S FREE. But it's a pain in the butt to exchange music (you either have to physically meet or email the MP3s or burn a CD then pass it along, etc. etc.). Why do people do this - again, to get out of PAYING for the music.
Now. Qtrax knows this. That's why they have the whole Social Networking/Playlist Sharing thing going on. They are not dumb. All you need to do is make the RECOMMENDATION of new music to a friend and they can download the song themselves and put it directly on whatever MP3 player they want. No meeting. No burning. No emailing. Just Qtrax and the future of what this site will become. Remember, Qtrax is still in its infancy, and IS changing the music business.
Do you really think Apple made the DRM change because they wanted to be nice and remove DRM?! Hardly. They had a gold mine running constantly pumping out gold. BUT - they also see the writing on the wall, and Jobs pressured the labels into DRM-FREE. Here's the business problem Apple had: if people are paying the same price and getting their music DRM-Free (Amazon, etc.), why should they buy from iTunes? DRM-free means they can still use the iTunes desktop application to move the unrestricted music they buy from another website to their iPod, but they don't need to BUY the music from the iTunes store. The price went up (the label's demand) so that the labels could recoup some of the revenue they will loose from the inevitable piracy THAT WILL HAPPEN with their new model. Apple HAD to change their model. I bet they were loosing significant market share to the paid DRM-Free sites.
My prediction is that we will see some DRM-free music on Qtrax 'soon'. Yes, there's that word again. I don't think it will start with the majors, but I expect to see the beginnings of the shift to DRM-Free at Qtrax. The compensation models will need to change to download counts rather than play counts.
I always thought the concept of PLAY counts was faulty anyway. When you buy a CD at the store, do you pay the label based on the number of times you listen to the song? NO. You pay them for the RIGHT to listen to the song AS MANY TIMES as you want (even if that's zero, you still pay for the RIGHT). You are not really supposed to duplicate the music you buy in any way (except for a personal 'backup'). So buying one CD and making copies to give to your girlfriend, wife, son, whatever, is a no-no, even if it's all in the family. So why did the labels expect to get compensated every time a song plays? That's the Jukebox concept and only applies in commercial environments.
Rather, the labels should get compensated at the time of song acquisition. If it's FREE to acquire the song, people will use Qtrax instead of the old 'exchange' process they were using to get around paying for the music. You see, that's why the illegal sites are so popular - people can get their music WHEN they want to, they get exactly WHAT they want, and there are no other restrictions. Nice. But illegal.
As for the ads - well I really don't see it deterring people from watching TV or listening to the radio. You can watch/listen if you want, but nobody says you HAVE to. Heck, we even PAY for the privilege of being exposed to ads sometimes - how about magazines stuffed with ads? Or Cable TV that we PAY for, but still have to watch ads? Hmmmmm.
Anyway, I'm rambling. I am also very much Keeping The Faith! I feel good. Sorry for the long post.
Hi Everyone - just a quick post...
Things are looking awesome! I do expect to see some great news shortly. Although Qtrax is not on the Midem agenda, I anticipate they will be there. This should be an incredible year for us all!
Keep the Faith!
Qtrax, Inc. is a WHOLLY-OWNED subsidiary of BLLN. This is no secret and is in every press release. It is NOT a spin-off investment. It is a corporate entity that is the property of BLLN (which means BLLN shareholders). If it is ever separately spun-off, BLLN shareholders will get their share of the pie, as the net income will be to BLLN.
The shares mentioned previously (Qtrax, Inc.) are sold to raise "Private Equity Capital." That's how they pay the bills - from this money. The shares of BLLN that are traded publicly have no monetary value to BLLN whatsoever.
The reason that these types of shares are "restricted" is because they are not a tradable, listed security. They are not available on the open market. Hence the word "Private." Just about EVERY company ever started out there was started with this type of capital. People investing directly in the company BELIEVE in the company, its product/service and its management. And yes, they may be privy to non-public information and yes, usually sign an NDA (non-disclosure agreement).
There is NO correlation between the valuation of a public company and the share price of Private Venture Capital shares. So don't try to do any math with this - it doesn't work and is not relevant. Just know that these private investors are usually very smart people who are risking their own money to bootstrap and launch a company. This is good for us small-time investors (I speak for my self here!).
KTF! And IMO Only.
Shot, here you go:
QTRAX WILL ** -> N O T <- ** BE A PAY-PER-DOWNLOAD SITE!
They have ALWAY had this option to pay for a song through Amazon, and even through iTunes. This was all publicly announced and has been part of the plan since Midem. Purchasing from Amazon will give you a DRM-free track, if you want to buy it with no strings attached.
They are ** -> N O T <- ** converting over to a streaming site either!
NOTHING has changed except for the fact that we officially have 3 of 4 major labels and ALL the publishers! Remember, you need both the publishers AND the labels to legally distribute the music.
In reality, we have 7 out of 8 spokes in the wheel (besides the various Indies).
Why are you taking a positive accomplishment and turning it negative?!!! Do you have the FOGGIEST idea what it took to bring this deal to the table? I doubt it. This is another HUGE step towards the Holy Grail we are all hoping for.
KTF everyone.
Disappointing?!!! HARDLY!
This is the THIRD of FOUR labels! AND it's an international deal! Remember, Qtrax is not focused just on the US. They are doing it GLOBALLY!
If you read my Mary Poppins post, I only mentioned SONY. Never expected Warner, but { I suspect } it is close behind.
I don't care what the PPS is saying. The whole financial system stinks right now. I certainly do not think the assets of Ford Motor or GM are worth only 2 or 5 bucks a share, The market is determining that. The auto companies are just seizing an opportunity to get Federal assistance to re-tool their products for more efficiency (fuel) and re-negotiate UAW contracts. This will improve their bottom lines, all with a tax-payer subsidy. Don't get me started - I digress. Emotions, pure emotions. Not based on any reality IMO.
Qtrax is on track. KTF! All IMO only.
Isn't it interesting that the address of Qtrax's London office is the same as New Media Law's address? Even the phone number is the same! Hmmmmmm.....
102 dean street, 3rd floor, london, W1D 3TQ, uk. +44(0)2077349777
People at the level of Rick usually have connections and engagements in multiple companies through consulting agreements, board seats, advisory appointments, etc. He's still very much involved....don't worry. It's called the Good 'Ol Boy Network. In this case, it happens to be an international network.
Above all, KTF!
I love that movie "Mary Poppins." My favorite scene is where the Robin lands on Mary Poppin's finger and starts whistling as she sings "Just a Spoon Full of Sugar." Pretty good effect for a movie made in 1964.
What's interesting is that while this movie was created by Walt Disney, the sound work was done by RCA, which is now a trademark used exclusively (licensed to) Sony BMG Music Entertainment. And RCA Music is currently a subsidiary of Sony/BMG.
I feel good things around the corner!
KTF!
Hi guys. I'm still here but not visiting the board much. All I can say is that I am adding to my position. Hearing nothing but good things. AK has been globetrotting - raising capital in this historically devastating economic environment is obviously challenging - but he's doing it! I expect announcements to be forthcoming and looking forward to portability and the Global launch.
I'm still in this for the long haul! KTF!
morechoc - I heard that last week and this week, there are some very important developments, so I can confirm the rumor. We'll see what happens, but I, for one, am not worried about the success of this company. Blln is doing everything right, and unfortunately, a couple of the labels are a pain in the butt. But they will have no choice but to sign on the dotted line - IMO!
KTF!
IMPORTANT CLARIFICATION !!!!
I think I did not express myself properly in my last post. I am NOT implying, by ANY stretch, that that BLLN shareholders will be abandoned!!!!!
What I was trying to say (and this is my understanding only) that I understand that BLLN will retain a significant ownership in Qtrax and I DO expect BLLN shareholders to benefit - even if Qtrax is spun-off.
What I was also trying to say is that I have no real idea how BLLN shareholders will accrue this extra value and how the spin-off would be structured (either a dividend of Qtrax stock, a stock grant, a stock conversion into Qtrax, or simply in the increased value of the companies balance sheet).
I hope that clears up what my opinion is. Again, IMO only!
For the future, I truly believe that Qtrax will be THE dominant GLOBAL player in the free and legal digital music space. What other company can make this claim?
Keeping the faith!
Hi Everyone, It's been quite a while since I posted. There has been a lot of discussion on the board, some of which is correct, some wrong, and some I have no clue what the answer is. Now before I go on, remember - this is ALL MY OPINION ONLY.
One thing I truly believe is that there is NO company that has what Qtrax has, and Qtrax management is boldly and successfully moving forward - however challenging it has been. For those complaining that Qtrax is dragging their feet, taking forever, keeping people in the dark, not releasing news and so forth, you MUST understand that it is NOT Qtrax. It's the LABELS. It seems that although we do have Sony and Warner music available on the site, they do not appear to be fully signed (yet). However, they do have "understandings" and "agreements" but not signed contracts (again - YET). I expect they will though. I understand that dealing with the labels has been much tougher than ever anticipated. But it IS happening.
On the spinoff question, it has been known that BLLN is planning to spin off (or IPO) Qtrax for well over a year! I am not sure why people are surprised about this. This was publicly announced a long time ago by BLLN. The plan is that BLLN will still hold a large share of Qtrax. This means that BLLN shareholders should still benefit. Now whether they issue Qtrax shares as a dividend to BLLN holders, I do not know. This is legal stuff that the attorneys and brokers advise on. Even this plan may change. About BLLN's other assets - I personally, I do not attach any value to them. Remember, patents do expire and if they haven't done anything with these assets, it's not likely they will. Think about this - if there WAS any value in these inventions, BLLN would probably have sold them long ago in their quest for capital to get Qtrax off the ground. I personally think Qtrax is the ONLY thing they have of value.
On the DRM issue, dogcat, that was your question. Here's how I see it: Qtrax is planning on compensating the labels (and artists) through revenue sharing of advertising income. That sharing will be divvied up according to play counts. Those play counts will be tallied not only from the plays on a computer, but also on portable devices. They MUST have the DRM in place to do this. I don't really think the labels care about the 'sharing' of the music, since it will be free anyway. What they DO care about is getting their rightful piece of the pie. That's what the DRM will give them: play counts - not restrictions.
We all know that the technology is in place for portability. But once again - the labels are controlling this, NOT Qtrax. The mechanism to transfer a song to an MP3 player is already there. The song moves, but it just doesn't play because the proper "play" rights are not set.
Now that we have GLOBAL licensing of the UMG catalog, ads will start showing up in other countries (but we won't see them in the US). That is an entirely different and HUGE revenue source. I think that Qtrax is well on it's way! If we didn't have the financial train wreck we are seeing globally, I really do believe that this stock would be at a much higher price point. Everyone is scared right now. Everyone is being hyper-risk-averse. That's why I think it's the time to buy.
I expect to continue to hear good things in the very near future.
KTF!
This is just the beginning! Birdies warming up back stage...
These announcements are to build credibility and to show the world that there are some serious, very connected brains behind this company. It is not just AK doing everything solo.
He has some smart people supporting his efforts, opening doors and guiding this company to become THE global player in FREE, DOWNLOADABLE MUSIC!
Keep The Faith!!! More to come next week! I think we'll hear something before the conference. IMO.
hey dogcat,
You might not have seen my previous posts answering your question.
Gotta run and will not be able to post any more today...
KTF!
Thanks Shot - still kickin' and waiting like everyone else!
BUT, KTF.