(13 February 2009 8:00 pm)

MUMBAI: Warner Music Group (WMG) and Qtrax, the ad-supported music service, have entered into a digital liscensing agreement wherein WMG's digital music catalogue will be offered through the Qtrax service.

The deal will enable users who download and install the Qtrax client to use the catalogue for searching and downloading of high-quality digital music files.

Qtrax will also monetise the offering by selling sponsorships and advertising, displayed during the search, and listening processes. Additionally, users will have the option to purchase music and related items from a third party throughout the Qtrax interface.

"We look forward to leveraging platforms like Qtrax's to broaden the reach of our music and provide consumers with a unique music experience," said WMG senior vice president (digital and business development) Stephen Bryan.

"We are happy to announce our global licensing deal with them (WMG). They have the greatest collections of iconic American record labels. Qtrax - among other things, incorporates a legal peer-to-peer experience that we believe will compete favourably with illegal sites and will prove the ad-supported model to be a viable and valuable alternative in the future monetising of free music," added Qtrax president and CEO Allan Klepfisz.