Optus signs up Universal for music content

According to Optus, the agreement will give customers access to Universal's extensive catalogue of music sound recordings from international artists such as U2, Bob Marley and Eminem, as well as those from local acts such as Powderfinger, Grinspoon and Spiderbait.

Marketing director for Optus mobile, Stuart Tucker, said the agreement along with the group's current partnership with MTV puts them in a good position to offer customers a "comprehensive and interactive service".

"This announcement also means we now offer all our customers, both pre-paid and post-paid, another option for purchasing music - the convenience of billing via their Optus mobile account.

Optus described the Universal Music group as a "market leader in exploring new digital distribution methods" and stressed the group's activities in offering consumers a "viable, legitimate and copy-protected source of online music".

The comments are indicative of the record label's current court battle with Sharman Networks over allegedly illegal music file sharing occurring on its peer-to-peer software Kazaa.

Director of new media for Universal Music, Thomas Enright, said the group is excited about the agreement and the new opportunities to circulate authorised sound recordings.

"Optus Zoo is a fantastic and ideal vehicle for mobile music as it ensures that customers have the best experience possible and everyone involved in creating the music including artists, songwriters and producers are properly rewarded for their efforts," he said.