MUMBAI: With illegal downloads acting as a stumbling block in the growth of music industry, Qtrax has announced the launch of free and legal online music download site, operating its beta service in India. Users in India can log onto www.qtrax.com for accesing the site.

Qtrax, a subsidiary of Brilliant Technologies Corporation, is a free and legal global download music service and showcases an innovative ad-supported downloading model that easily directs revenue back to artists and rights holders. Qtrax has successfully signed licensing deals with major labels, music publishers and leading indies.

The New York based music service imposes no pre-conditions to downloading free and legal high quality music. It is web-based and does not require the downloading of any software nor does not expose the user to the security and virus risks associated with illegal file-sharing and peer-to-peer services. User benefits from fast download speeds, reliably high quality files, encyclopedic information about artists and no adware or spyware to infect their computer.

Users just have to register, log in and search, download and play music for free. It is important to note that users are able to download music to their PCs and play the music locally, unlike some music streaming services which often suffer from interruptions/distortion due to bandwidth and ISP issues. The Qtrax user interface environment is a rich editorial mix of artist information, full discographies and in depth artist bio's and music reviews. Music is continually being added as the catalogue is expanded, and music fans will be able to create playlists, send music recommendations to a friend, and start to build social networking communications with other Qtrax users.

Qtrax co-president and CEO Allan Klepfisz remarked, "We are thrilled to have introduced Qtrax to India. It is only appropriate that India should be the first country in which we initiating a marketing campaign for the Qtrax Beta, as the entire software code for Qtrax was written over the past three years in India." Klepfisz continued, "Arguably, more than 95 per cent of all music consumption is illegal. Consumers don't necessarily want to go to illegal sites, but they do want free music. The best way to render the unlicensed sites irrelevant is to be demonstrably better than them - in every respect. That is Qtrax's mission. We have never wavered in our determination to achieve it."

Portability to many of the new smartphones and most MP3 music players is also on the cards as announced by Qtrax.

Qtrax co-President and CMO Lance Ford talking about the revenue stream and business model adds, "The business model is a unique and innovative '360 degree revenue share.' The business model is based on revenue being generated through a number of commercial arrangements, including a completely new advertising model, strategic partnerships and affiliate deals. The service and value proposition is evolving and improving everyday, but the core promise will always be met that every time a song is played, the artist or copyright holder will get paid."

Allan Klepfisz concluded, "Qtrax is beginning with a strong Asia focus. The opportunities in this part of the world are very substantial. There is massive music consumption, combined with fewer legal services. We are very excited about building our presence in India."