Download dawn gathers pace ... as indies join forces with KaZaA.

UK indies are getting into bed with controversial peer-to-peer network KaZaA on a legitimate footing, offering repertoire as pre-release downloads.

Tracks by several of independent label Cooking Vinyl's roster of artists will be made available on the KaZaA Media Desktop (KMD) through secure technology Altnet, ahead of going on sale in store. The three-week pilot scheme, which was launched last Thursday, allows users to access two new tracks from Richard Thompson's June 6-released Old Kit Bag album, a fortnight ahead of its US release.

Six further tracks from the Ian McCulloch album, previously unreleased material and past releases from Billy Bragg and Soft Cell can also be downloaded free for 24 hours and then purchased for 45 US cents per track. The files are accompanied by a gold icon logo distinguishing them from illegally uploaded files.

The move lends further legitimacy to KaZaA, which is fighting industry claims of massive copyright infringement. Parent company Sharman Networks says it has worked with Altnet since last year to distribute pay-content listings among KaZaA search results, although critics highlight they are still a tiny fraction of the illegal files shared through KaZaA.

Sharman Networks CEO Nikki Hemming says KaZaA users download 500,000 gold icon or licensed files each day, while Ice T launched his album Repossession on KMD through Altnet's secure platform for $4.99 this month.

"We believe it is basic--consumers want choice and will pay for quality," says Hemming. "Quality, paid-for DRM content is just like bottled water--one of the fastest-growing food and beverage categories. This deal helps us all stake out the land upon which a powerful new promotion and distribution platform will be built."

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