Mr. Tara,
There IS no confusion. EDIG's reference design supports ALL DRM's and codecs in any order seamlessly. Couldn't be any simpler for the consumer, now could it...
More IBM news from today.
IBM And Reciprocal Establish Strategic Relationship to Expand Digital Music
Distribution; BMG Entertainment First Major Label to Make Music Available
Through Reciprocal's Services on IBM's EMMS Platform
SANTA MONICA, Calif./NEW YORK, Apr 6, 2000 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Reciprocal, a
global leader in digital rights management (DRM) transaction services, and IBM
today announced a strategic relationship in which Reciprocal plans to adopt and
support IBM's Electronic Media Management System (EMMS), an electronic media
distribution and DRM platform. Reciprocal plans to license IBM's EMMS technology
and integrate it into its existing Digital Clearing Service, which is currently
processing digital transactions for a number of content companies. This will
enable Reciprocal to offer EMMS' management and distribution services in running
and supporting music download transactions to consumers. The relationship
between the two companies is a significant step in expanding the burgeoning
online music industry.
BMG Entertainment is expected to be the first customer to use Reciprocal's
services based on EMMS. By leveraging IBM's EMMS with Reciprocal's Digital
Clearing Service, BMG will enable consumers to conveniently receive and enjoy
music from top artists through next-generation software and hardware products.
The companies plan to support the goals of the Secure Digital Music Initiative
(SDMI)
"IBM has always been a pioneer in terms of technology innovation, and their EMMS
solution continues in that fine tradition," said John Schwarz, President and
CEO, Reciprocal. "Our strategic relationship with IBM furthers Reciprocal's
ability to offer leading content companies the DRM platforms they feel best meet
their business needs."
"We're enthused to be working with Reciprocal to accelerate the digital
distribution of music," said Richard K. Selvage, general manager, IBM Global
Media & Entertainment Industry. "EMMS is a proven platform and we welcome BMG's
endorsement as our first joint customer with Reciprocal. We're confident that
our relationship with Reciprocal enables us to quickly expand our collective
services to other content providers."
After conducting extensive testing to ensure consumers will have the best
possible experience, BMG is set to commercially deploy its digital music
distribution plans this summer.
"The alliance of IBM and Reciprocal is helping BMG to take this important first
step to make our music widely available through digital downloading," said Kevin
Conroy, Sr. Vice President, Worldwide Marketing and New Technology, BMG
Entertainment.
IBM's EMMS is a sophisticated electronic distribution and DRM system designed to
support all forms of media beginning first with music and audio content. EMMS
was successfully tested in a broadband music distribution trial conducted with
the five leading record companies last year. The system combines scalability and
security features within an open architecture. Major components of EMMS include
a content mastering system, tools for hosting music content and promotional
materials, and tools for online music retailers supporting the sale of digital
music to consumers.
Reciprocal's Digital Clearing Service features a flexible and reliable clearing
system that tracks the sale of digital content, and manages access and usage
privileges as designated by the content owner. The clearing service is capable
of conducting millions of financial and information transactions per day.
Added Reciprocal Music President, Larry Miller, "We're extremely enthusiastic to
be working with IBM. EMMS has been embraced as an effective and proven DRM
platform, and our new relationship greatly enhances Reciprocal's ability to
deliver the highest quality DRM services to owners of valuable digital content."
About Reciprocal
Reciprocal, the global leader in digital rights management transaction services,
provides comprehensive, easy-to-implement e-commerce clearing services and
back-office solutions for the music, publishing, software, film, entertainment,
and other digital content industries. Reciprocal offers content owners a true
outsourced DRM solution that allows them to realize new revenue streams while
efficiently protecting their online digital assets.
The Reciprocal Digital Clearing Service leverages leading DRM technology from
InterTrust Technologies Corporation, Microsoft Corp., IBM, Xerox Corp., Adobe
Systems Incorporated, and Preview Systems, allowing companies to choose the
solution that best fits their business needs. Reciprocal Digital Clearing
Service is secure, flexible and capable of handling millions of transactions per
day. Leading content companies such as Sony, Houghton Mifflin, Reuters and TVT
Records have selected Reciprocal as their digital rights management services
provider. Privately held, Reciprocal maintains offices in New York City,
Buffalo, NY and Research Triangle Park, NC.
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. For more information on IBM strategy for the media and
entertainment industry, contact www.ibm.com/solutions/media.
c 2000 Reciprocal, Inc. All rights reserved. Reciprocal, the Reciprocal symbol
and Driving the Content Economy are trademarks of Reciprocal, Inc. in the United
States and other countries. All other products and companies mentioned are
registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owners. For more
information on Reciprocal, visit its web site: reciprocal.com
All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Distributed via COMTEX.
Copyright (C) 2000 Business Wire. All rights reserved. |
