The Recording Industry Association of America is expected on Tuesday to invite major tech companies to develop a new file format for selling music on the Internet. The effort is aimed at challenging MP3, music-industry executives said.
The move comes amidst a heated controversy over just how to sell music on the Internet. MP3 -- or Motion Picture Experts Group, audio layer 3 -- compresses audio files for easy distribution over the Internet at near-CD-quality sound. The RIAA has been fighting the format because it claims MP3 facilitates music pirating.
One exec said the initiative will call for the development of a standard that lets computer users purchase and download music from the Internet -- with emphasis on the word "purchase." Unlike MP3, the most popular file format for storing and playing music on a PC, the new technology would not allow free duplication.
"It's going to be an announcement about an industry-wide initiative to secure copyright on the Internet," said Alexandra Walsh, a spokeswoman for the RIAA. She declined further comment.
The RIAA issued a press release on Friday sketching Tuesday's announcement. Hilary Rosen, president and CEO of the RIAA, Jason Berman, chairman-elect of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, and US record-label execs will hold the press conference to announce a "worldwide initiative to address new digital music opportunities," the statement said. The conference will take place in the Sony Building in New York City.
