Snocap

Snocap is a multi-faceted B2B digital music distributor which authenticates and re-licences digital music while also providing white labeling services. Founded by the ultimate media disrupter, Shawn Fanning, as well as Silicon Valley mega-investor Ron Conway, Snocap is trying to legitimate the P2P downloading game by integrating tracking systems and payment tools into many sites supporting illegal downloads. This legitimating process has been embraced by few companies thus far and has generally been seen as a flawed idea. Snocaps centralized database for licensed music is a digression in distribution technique and its belief that P2P sites will survive after failing to offer free downloads is counterintuitive. However, in addition to legitimating P2P companies, Snocap offers a type of White Label service which allows businesses to create their own selling platforms.

Of note is Snocaps content deal with MySpace which will eventually allow musicians to sell their music through their personal profiles. While Snocap may not have much force to bring as far as offering an alternative to piracy, it may have a large impact on the long tail of music. Snocap will allow independent musicians, label backed or not, to set the price and digital rights management for each song that they put up for sale. Snocaps central database will enforce artists settings upon retailers and allow them to distribute their music through additional channels. Other music retailers that Snocap has partnered with include imeem, ReverbNation, Passport Approved, Shoutlife, PumpAudio, IMP and CrackSpace. Currently Snocap has licensed music from all of the major labels as well as many independent music aggregators such as IODA and The Orchard.