We7 - Safe, Legal Music for Web 2.0

We7 is a new music delivery system that addresses the issue of free music downloads versus the infringement on copyrighted media. We7 uses a new ad delivery system that allows users to download music for free while providing revenue to the artists and focused advertising for maximum insertion. The new startup is now in beta testing and looks to be very promising.

Rock legend Peter Gabriel is stepping up along with tech entrepreneur Steve Purdham to develop and promote the new ad delivery platform. We7 uses "grafted" ads on the front of the music tracks so that advertisers can target their customers specifically. This is a huge benefit to ad companies because users listen to the download off Web and are further engaged.

The biggest plus to this innovative new service is that P2P essentially becomes legitimate. Users can share MP3's obtained at We7 and everyone is served well. Ad companies get finely targeted and durable ads, musicians are compensated appropriately and users share great music for free. A true win-win scenario for everyone concerned, which does not happen often.

Peter Gabriel, Musician and Founder Investor of We7, comments: "We7 provides artists - even across the more experimental or minority genres - with the opportunity to build a new source of income from their music. Ad funded downloads are the way to provide free music to the consumer without depriving musicians of their livelihood."

The patent pending "MediaGraft" Web 2.0 technology should help WE7 deliver something no one else has thus far. This idea is one of the most attractive I have seen in addressing the problem of P2P and online utilization of music and other media. It would be especially attractive and Web 2.0 significant if these ads are created with the users enjoyment particularly targeted. We7 intends to tailor these ads based on user preferences to both satisfy ad targeting and user utility, so at least part of the criteria appears to have been addressed.

The Problem

Getting the music industry's seal of approval is going to be the service's biggest obstacle. The world of high finance music is not full of people willing to let go of a penny much less a dollar. It seems to me that the only way for We7 to get lots of content will be to have access to music that has lost some return for the music moguls. I hope some "premium" content and new top releases will make their way to We7 because vision of Gabriel and company is great, but unless artists or fans pressure the industry We7 could become the discount house of downloads.

The only other issues I have with this great site relate to small navigation issues that will surely be cleaner up over the course. The community aspect of the site cannot truly be ascertained right now, but hopefully We7 will expand their vision in other areas and make the site a true portal for enthusiasts. Something I would also add immediately would be some Peter Gabriel music, as he is one of my favorites.