FRANKLIN, TN. (Top40 Charts/ PassAlong Networks) - PassAlong Networks, developer of digital media innovations and services, today announced that the network of online music stores powered by its StoreBlocks technology will feature EMI Music's entire digital catalog in EMI's premium download offering that is free of digital rights management (DRM) technology and available in a higher-quality bit rate.
Music purchased from StoreBlocks stores, including Trans World Entertainment's (NASDAQ: TWMC) f.y.e. - for your entertainment - online music store will play on all digital music players, including iPods, mobile phones and home stereo systems.
Recently, EMI Music became the first major label to offer its entire catalog for sale to its retail partners in the DRM-free audio format of their choice in a variety of bit rates up to CD quality. PassAlong Networks will sell EMI's premium downloads in the MP3 format at 320 kilobits per second, compared with the 128-192 kilobits per second offered in most standard download offerings.
"We applaud EMI Music's bold decision to test the DRM-free waters," said PassAlong Networks' co-founder and CEO Dave Jaworski. "Music consumers have demanded interoperability and ease of use and we hope that by offering EMI Music's DRM-free music files, we will simplify and improve their digital music experience."
StoreBlocks includes one of the industry's largest music catalogs of nearly 3 million songs, innovative viral marketing tools and extensive store-building options. Included in its music catalog are 2 million independent songs in MP3 format. EMI Music's premium download offering will add more than 100,000 MP3 tracks to this catalog.
"PassAlong Networks is yet another example of a forward-thinking company that puts consumers first," said Eric Nicoli, CEO of EMI Group. "We believe offering PassAlong's large customer base the opportunity to buy recordings from EMI Music's prestigious roster of artists, in higher quality and in a format that will allow them to play their purchases on the device or platform of their choice will boost sales of digital music overall."
StoreBlocks' premium services currently power more than 100 online music stores, including BreakthruRadio, TransWorld's f.y.e. online music store and Procter & Gamble's Julie's Jukebox, a digital music store on HomeMadeSimple.com.
"We are excited to offer EMI Music's catalog to our customers as higher quality, DRM-free MP3s," said Jim Litwak, President and COO of Trans World Entertainment. "We constantly strive to give our customers the best digital experience out there, and the addition of this catalog is a strong step in the right direction for us."
