OD2
Encyclopedia
On Demand Distribution, one of the first online music download
services, was co-founded by entrepreneur Charles Grimsdale and musician Peter Gabriel
in 1999. Prior to its closure in 2009, its technology had been used by a number of music download sites including MSN Music
UK and CD WOW!
.
OD2 was formed in November 1999 in partnership with musician Peter Gabriel
.
The original primary purpose of its formation was to allow access to music distribution infrastructure and rights management for small-scale unsigned artists (who would not otherwise have this opportunity).
For reasons of commercial survival, the emphasis soon changed to providing front-end technology to larger distributors.
OD2 DRM
technology was originally Microsoft based, distributing mainly Windows Media Audio
(WMA) files.
OD2 was making a loss but in June 2004 was bought by US digital music distributor company Loudeye for $40 million . Loudeye sold its other music distribution business in 2006, making OD2 its principal business. In October 2006 Loudeye was acquired by Finnish mobile giant Nokia
for $60 million.
Rival digital music distributors include MusicNet which is used by EMI
, AOL
/Time Warner
, BMG
and HMV
- the latter of which defected from OD2 in 2005.
Music download
A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment...
services, was co-founded by entrepreneur Charles Grimsdale and musician Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel
Peter Brian Gabriel is an English singer, musician, and songwriter who rose to fame as the lead vocalist and flautist of the progressive rock group Genesis. After leaving Genesis, Gabriel went on to a successful solo career...
in 1999. Prior to its closure in 2009, its technology had been used by a number of music download sites including MSN Music
MSN Music
MSN Music was a part of the MSN web services. It delivered music news, music videos, spotlights on new music, artist information, and live performances of artists. In 2004, Microsoft created an MSN Music download store to compete with Apple's iTunes Music Store, though its sales in comparison were...
UK and CD WOW!
CD WOW!
CD WOW! is an online retailer, offering Games, CD, DVD, Books and Cosmetics. Similar to Amazon.com, it offers websites in and ships from multiple countries including: UK, USA, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, Australia, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Netherlands, Japan and Germany. Started...
.
OD2 was formed in November 1999 in partnership with musician Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel
Peter Brian Gabriel is an English singer, musician, and songwriter who rose to fame as the lead vocalist and flautist of the progressive rock group Genesis. After leaving Genesis, Gabriel went on to a successful solo career...
.
The original primary purpose of its formation was to allow access to music distribution infrastructure and rights management for small-scale unsigned artists (who would not otherwise have this opportunity).
For reasons of commercial survival, the emphasis soon changed to providing front-end technology to larger distributors.
OD2 DRM
DRM
-Information technology:*Digital rights management, access control technologies that limit the usage of digital content and devices*Data Reference Model, one of the five reference models of the Federal Enterprise Architecture...
technology was originally Microsoft based, distributing mainly Windows Media Audio
Windows Media Audio
Windows Media Audio is an audio data compression technology developed by Microsoft. The name can be used to refer to its audio file format or its audio codecs. It is a proprietary technology that forms part of the Windows Media framework. WMA consists of four distinct codecs...
(WMA) files.
OD2 was making a loss but in June 2004 was bought by US digital music distributor company Loudeye for $40 million . Loudeye sold its other music distribution business in 2006, making OD2 its principal business. In October 2006 Loudeye was acquired by Finnish mobile giant Nokia
Nokia
Nokia Corporation is a Finnish multinational communications corporation that is headquartered in Keilaniemi, Espoo, a city neighbouring Finland's capital Helsinki...
for $60 million.
Rival digital music distributors include MusicNet which is used by EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
, AOL
AOL
AOL Inc. is an American global Internet services and media company. AOL is headquartered at 770 Broadway in New York. Founded in 1983 as Control Video Corporation, it has franchised its services to companies in several nations around the world or set up international versions of its services...
/Time Warner
Time Warner
Time Warner is one of the world's largest media companies, headquartered in the Time Warner Center in New York City. Formerly two separate companies, Warner Communications, Inc...
, BMG
BMG
Bertelsmann Music Group, , was a division of Bertelsmann before its completion of sale of the majority of its assets to Japan's Sony Corporation of America on October 1, 2008. It was established in 1987 to combine the music label activities of Bertelsmann...
and HMV
HMV
His Master's Voice is a trademark in the music business, and for many years was the name of a large record label. The name was coined in 1899 as the title of a painting of the dog Nipper listening to a wind-up gramophone...
- the latter of which defected from OD2 in 2005.