http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/01/28/d....ap/index.html

CANNES, France (AP) -- A distributor of Internet file-swapping software has abruptly postponed the launch of its free online music service until it can finalize music licensing deals.


Qtrax says it will offer more than 25,000,000 songs available for free.

Qtrax omitted that detail when it threw a star-studded coming-out party over the weekend.

The ambitious, ad-supported music service promised unlimited music downloads with the blessing of the major recording companies.

But that claim began to unravel just hours before Qtrax's scheduled debut Monday when Warner Music Group issued a statement that it had not authorized the firm to distribute its artists' music.

Universal Music Group and EMI Group PLC later confirmed they did not have licensing deals in place with Qtrax, noting discussions were still ongoing. A call to Sony BMG Music Entertainment was not immediately returned.