(CelebrityAccess News Service) – Sharman Networks, distributor of the world's most popular file-sharing software, Kazaa Media Desktop (KMD), has entered into an exclusive digital promotion with Australian independent recording label 301 Records. Through Sharman's affiliate partner Altnet (the first peer-to-peer network created to give consumers easy access to secure original content from content owners), local Australian band The Honey Palace will use Kazaa Media Desktop as part of an innovative promotion and distribution package to launch their debut album, "Have You Seen Love?"
The promotion will use Altnet to securely license the band's material to millions of global music fans for sample and purchase through Kazaa Media Desktop. The Honey Palace's songs and music video clips will appear within the feature pages of Kazaa Media Desktop and as Altnet gold icons within Kazaa search results, for just US25 cents per track.
Altnet's TopSearch technology, in concert with the Kazaa Media Desktop, provides artists and content owners with a secure distribution platform using patented peer-to-peer technology. It enables them to promote their works in a secure and convenient way. Altnet files appear as gold icon files in the Kazaa Media Desktop search results and can be easily purchased using Altnet's seamless payment gateway.
Michael Browning, managing director of 301 Records, said: "We're always looking for innovative ways to launch artists into both local and international markets. Peer to peer technology provides artists and distributors with a low cost, high impact way of reaching millions of global music fans."
"Tastes are changing, the way we deliver music to fans is changing and this opportunity with Kazaa and Altnet, is about giving music fans the flexibility they want. The music industry as a whole needs to adapt to these trends by offering samples, choice to buy just an individual song or a whole album, variety in content formats (video clips, music files, images and information) as well as the opportunity to experience music via more traditional means."
Artists, both emerging and established, have used Altnet's platform to securely distribute their music and successfully promote it within the Kazaa Media Desktop, including Chuck D., Ice T, Bob Marley, Little Feat, Barrington Levy and others.
Sharman Networks CEO Nikki Hemming said: "Peer to peer distribution is perfect for emerging artists looking to break into the music business. It's fantastic to be able to support local bands like The Honey Palace, as well as demonstrate to others out there just how powerful Kazaa's promotion and distribution capabilities really are." –by Jane Cohen and Bob Grossweiner
