RightsFlow becomes first Full Member under new Digital Data Exchange (DDEX) membership structure
New York, NY – January 25, 2010 – RightsFlow announced today that it has joined Digital Data Exchange (DDEX) as its first Full Member using the new membership structure, which links the level of dues to the member’s revenue. They join a growing roster of forty plus DDEX members that include music content companies, music rights societies, digital and mobile service providers and digital media supply chain service providers.
“Several small and medium size companies have expressed interest in joining DDEX since we announced our membership expansion initiative a few weeks ago, and I am pleased that RightsFlow was the first to make it official. As an innovative technology solutions company that is helping the digital media industry streamline content licensing and royalty payment, RightsFlow is an important new member of our organization” said Sony Music’s Kirit Joshi, Chairman of DDEX. “I look forward to working with RightsFlow and other members, both new and old, as we join together to establish a set of standards that will continue to bring efficiency to Digital Commerce.”
“RightsFlow is very happy to announce our membership with DDEX,” stated Patrick Sullivan, President and CEO of RightsFlow. “We believe the adoption of standards is crucial for continued growth and adoption of new technology solutions that will ensure efficient and successful licensing and royalty payment.”
DDEX is a standards organization established to design XML message format standards to improve efficiency in the exchange of metadata along the digital media supply chain. DDEX is now looking beyond this to at all areas of the digital supply chain that could be benefit from standardization, to enable a largely automated processing environment. This will include the mechanisms by which the messages are exchanged including the specification of “micro” messages, which can control the order and timing of events within the supply chain. Similarly work will also be undertaken regarding the delivery of the content itself. Such an automated environment will provide even greater efficiencies and cost savings for digital media supply chain companies than just standardized XML messages.
DDEX members continue to implement the use of its digital communication standards with their business partners. Implementations have been completed by digital music service providers including Ameritz, Apple iTunes, Beezik, Muzak, Muzu TV, Napster, Orange, Playlouder, Real Networks, SFR, Sony Ericsson and Telefónica Servicios de Música S.A.U., music content companies Musiqware, Sony Music Entertainment. Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group, and music rights societies, ASCAP, BMI, CELAS, HFA, NCB, PRS for Music, SACEM, SGAE and SUISA.
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About Digital Data Exchange / DDEX:
Digital Data Exchange (DDEX) was set up to develop and encourage the adoption of standard XML message formats to improve the current exchange of data between companies operating in the digital media content value chain. The standards enable the identification of the information required to provide digital media content to the consumer and report sales back to the content owning companies, as well as common ways for this data to be exchanged between companies. DDEX was formed in 2006 by the world’s leading companies and organizations involved in the digital music value chain. Initially DDEX has therefore focused on the digital music value chain, but DDEX is now encouraging membership from stakeholders in any media sectors that overlap with music.
The Charter Members of the organization are Sony Music Entertainment, The Orchard, Warner Music Group, Universal Music Group, The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), The Harry Fox Agency Inc. (HFA), Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL), PRS for Music, Sociedad General de Autores y Editores (SGAE), Société des Civile des Producteurs Phonographiques (SCPP), Société des des Auteurs, Compositeurs et Editeurs de Musique (SACEM), Apple Inc., Microgen Aptitude Limited, Nokia, Orange, RealNetworks Inc. and Telefónica Servicos de Música S.A.U.
Membership of DDEX is open to any organization with a business interest in the digital media content supply chain.
Media Contact for DDEX:
Phil Crosland (North America)
PCrosland@ascap.com
+1 212 621 6218
Fabienne Herenberg (Europe and Rest of the World)
fabienne.herenberg@sacem.fr
+33 1 47 15 45 55
About RightsFlow:
RightsFlow is a leading provider of mechanical licensing services and royalty payment technology for online music services, record companies, distributors and artists. The RightsFlow technology powers rapid song identification and provides an unprecedented level of transparency for both licensees and licensors. RightsFlow specializes in obtaining bulk physical, DPD, and ringtone licenses including streaming, tethered, and limited download rights. Our proprietary “FLOW” licensing technology and 10.5 million song database allow us to license content, render accounting, and pay royalties on behalf of clients quickly and accurately, ensuring that rights-holders are paid for the use of their work.
RightsFlow currently serves over 9,500 clients obtaining licenses from publishers and songwriters all over the world – including major, independent publishers and artist controlled works. Clients include Muzak, Kontor Media, Thumbplay, Hoodiny, The Orchard, INgrooves, IRIS, Zebralution, E1 Canada Distribution, IODA, CD Baby, Disc Makers, & X5 Music Group.
Media Contact for RightsFlow:
Michael Kauffman
michael.kauffman@rightsflow.com
+1-212-937-6955, x311
