e.Digital Corporation (fka EDIG)

[gernb1]

2001-05-01 Must read...

Media Engine To Provide Music Subscription Services a Versatile Client Application

Baton Rouge, LA - Vedalabs, Inc., and IBM today announced that Vedalabs has licensed and integrated IBM's Electronic Media Management System (EMMS) into its Vedalabs Media Engine software program. As a comprehensive electronic media distribution and digital rights management system, EMMS will provide security features for protecting the intellectual property rights of content owners during the downloading and playback process in the Vedalabs Media Engine. EMMS is designed to support a broad range of media types beginning first with music and audio content. The Vedalabs Media Engine? (VME), is an open architecture, small footprint media player that handles content from multiple sources. The player was designed to easily port to various operating systems, including cable set top boxes, PC?s, PDA?s and wireless devices. "It is our mission not to become the brand, but, instead, license our software suite to companies who have established relationships with consumers. Our business model allows us to offer a powerful, brandable solution that supports a wide variety of both protected and unprotected audio formats. Many people have been challenging the idea of record labels launching subscription services that ties people to their PC?s and that does not have to be the case. We will demonstrate this system to key customers over the next several months,"says Jason Hewitt, CEO of Vedalabs. The Vedalabs Media Engine will provide a peer-to-peer network for secure streaming of protected files. The application will unlock the content once it is transferred providing a legitimate peer-to-peer solution.The ability of the EMMS system to support super distribution aligns with Vedalabs? strategy. Like Napster, Search and Share Streams?, an upgrade to the VME, will allow end users to search for content on multiple users? machines. Once the software is installed it identifies and authenticates content on the end users? hard disk?only supporting the sharing of legitimate content. If suspect files can be identified, a legitimate track will be offered or the user can insert the audio CD. The track is then streamed instead of downloaded to the other user. Each song is tracked when streamed enabling performing rights society royalties and record label royalties to be tracked, collected and distributed where required by law. "Vedalabs has assembled a very strong product and cross platform plan for its Vedalabs Media Engine. By placing the VME onto various devices and not tying it just to the PC, Vedalabs has established a strong case to provide the client side application for the new digital music services that will be launched." Says Brian Queen Global EMMS Solution Manager. Vedalabs software supports IBM?s EMMS solution and the company will be demonstrating it at the National Association of Broadcaster Conference (April 2001, LasVegas), and LINUX World (August 2001, San Francisco), in IBM?s booth. In addition, Vedalabs will be featured on www.ibm.com. About Vedalabs Vedalabs (http://www.vedalabs.com) is a business-to-business software and infrastructure-enabling development company building products to move the entertainment industry fully, and securely, into the world of digital media distribution. About Electronic Media Management System EMMS is a comprehensive electronic media distribution and digital rights management system designed to support a broad range of media types, beginning first with music and audio content. EMMS provides the foundation for new business models created by the digital delivery of assets and offers a rich set of security features designed to protect the intellectual property rights of content owners throughout the delivery process. EMMS has an open architecture to allow technology advances in audio compression, encryption, formatting, watermarking, and end-user devices and applications to be integrated. EMMS is part of IBM's broadbased digital media management portfolio which offers comprehensive, enterprise-wide solutions for creating, managing, storing and distributing digital assets. Additional information on EMMS can be found at www.ibm.com/software/EMMS. About IBM IBM is the world's largest information technology company, with 80 years of leadership in helping businesses innovate. IBM is helping media and entertainment companies worldwide take advantage of the business opportunities made possible by digital technology. IBM offers a comprehensive portfolio of solutions, networking and service offerings that is transforming the traditional creative and business processes of media and entertainment companies and positioning them to leverage their intellectual assets into new commercial opportunities. Additional information on IBM strategy for the media and entertainment industry can be found at www.ibm.com/solutions/media. Vedalabs, Vedalabs Media Engine, and Search and Share Streams are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vedalabs, Inc. All other companies and products listed herein are property of their respective owner(s).