Google inks deal with Sony BMG & Warner

MUMBAI: Google has inked individual deals with Sony BMG Music Entertainment and Warner Music Group Corp., which will enable it to provide the music companies' music video collection available for online streaming at no cost to users.

Warner Music Group Corp's and Sony BMG Music Entertainment's music video collection will be available through an ad-supported revenue sharing agreement, or to purchase videos online for download. Starting this month, users in the US can watch any of the thousands of music videos, artist interviews, “behind-the-scenes” footage and other artist-related content from WMG on Google Video. In addition, Google will develop technology that, when implemented, will enable users to include certain content from companies such as Warner Music Group in the videos they create and upload to Google Video.

In the coming months, users will also be able to access content from Sony BMG Music Entertainment artists and WMG audio-visual content through Google’s partner websites in its AdSense network.

Sony BMG Music Entertainment, WMG, Google and web publishers will now be able to monetize professional video content while respecting copyrights through these video distribution models.

"Google is a defining force in the ongoing development of the Internet, and we're extremely pleased to be expanding our video relationship with them. We see this agreement as an important part of our overall strategy to innovate, find new ways for our artists to connect with their fans, and develop new revenue streams. We look forward to working closely with Google as we roll out this ambitious new effort," said Sony BMG Music Entertainment president, global digital business Thomas Hesse.

"Our partnership with Google is rooted in the pioneering approach we've used to offer fans more music, while benefiting artists and protecting copyrights. Viewing the online world as a significant opportunity, we are transforming Warner Music from a traditional 'songs-and-records' company into one that delivers rich music-based content on multiple platforms, in a variety of ways. We are proud to partner with an online innovator like...

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