Press Release
| Music Publishers Reach Licensing Agreement with AOL. |
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New York, NY -- The Harry Fox Agency, Inc. (HFA) and America Online Inc. [NYSE: AOL] announced today that they have entered into a licensing agreement under which HFA will provide AOL forum managers a mechanism through which they may license music owned or controlled by HFA's music publisher principals. HFA entered into the agreement as licensing agent for its publisher principals to allow certain uses of musical compositions created by AOL members in musical instrument digital interface ("MIDI") format, including the uploading and downloading of songs to and from AOL forum libraries. "We are pleased that HFA and AOL have been able to reach an agreement that will permit online uses of musical compositions by AOL's forum managers and compensate owners of this music in accordance with the owners' rights," said Edward Murphy, President & CEO of HFA. "The agreement we have announced today demonstrates AOL's commitment to working with major players in the copyright field, such as The Harry Fox Agency, to address the interests of copyright holders in a fast-moving industry," said George Vradenburg, General Counsel for AOL. "Our goal through this agreement is to provide AOL forum managers and, through them, AOL members with the greatest possible access to licensable music libraries; and to work with copyright holders to understand and address the legal complexities in the online medium. We're very pleased to have been able to work with HFA to reach an agreement that serves the interests of both music publisher principals and AOL members." America Online Inc., based in Dulles, Virginia, is the world's leader in branded interactive services and content. America Online operates two worldwide Internet online services: AOL, with more than 11 million members; and CompuServe, with more than 2 million members. America Online also operates AOL Studios, the world's leading creator of original interactive content. Other branded Internet services operated by America Online include AOL.COM, the world's most accessed Web site from home; AOL Instant Messenger, allowing instant communication with all Internet users; and AOL NetFind, AOL's comprehensive guide to the Internet. The Harry Fox Agency, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Music Publishers' Association, Inc. (NMPA), the principal trade association representing music publishers in the United States. HFA represents over 18,000 publisher principals in the issuance of mechanical recording licenses and other licensing activities. Established in 1927, HFA serves as an information source, clearinghouse and monitoring service for a large percentage of music used in the United States and around the world. Contacts: Margaret Drum, HFA 212-922-3266 Ken Sunshine Sunshine Consultants 212-621-6027 Contacts: Tricia Primrose, AOL 703-265-1459 |
