(13 May 2009 10:10 pm)

MUMBAI: Universal Music Group (UMG) has partnered with Destiny Media Technologies, a software development company, to distribute pre-release tracks.

The agreement enables Destiny's Play MPE(R) media distribution system to secure digital distribution of pre-release content to press and radio partners in North America and will provide Play MPE(R) services in 77 countries across Europe, Asia, South America and African continent.

"Adopting Destiny's Play MPE(R) services enables our pre-release content to be distributed quickly to all our external press and radio contacts as well as our territories," says UMG international VP for production Mark Moroney.

Users can receive audio files in a quick digital download, which locks to authorise computers. Given adequate rights, users will be able to export the file into an unlocked format. A watermark is embedded into the music so that if an unauthorised copy is found, the source of the file can be traced.

"We are very pleased that Universal Music Group is expanding their North American usage into the rest of the world and look forward to working with their team to continue the transition from physical to digital in the international distribution of pre-release content," said Destiny Media CEO Steve Vestergaard.

The Play MPE(R) network currently has over 28,000 registered recipients.