Firms line up to launch file sharing offerings: more majors set to follow Snocap's Universal deal.(Downloads)

Legitimate peer to peer may be a matter of just weeks away, with alternative offerings from both sides of the Atlantic confirming launch plans at Midem.

UK-based service Playlouder MSP last week confirmed that it was set to launch before the end of April with founders Paul Sanders and Paul Hitchman voicing confidence that they would have their first major label deal by then.

The company already has all of its indie deals in place, as it aims to create a "walled garden" in which subscribers can share files; sharing will be tracked and revenues paid on the relevant tracks.

In turn, Tennessee-based Passalong Networks founder and CEO Dave Jaworski confirmed that it would have an offering up-and-running by sometime this autumn.

But perhaps most interest was generated by Snocap, which used Midem to unveil details of its plans to the European industry. With one major Universal already signed up, negotiations are progressing with the other majors and 12 independents are on board, with beta testing due to start in a fortnight ahead of a full launch by the end of March, business development director Alex Rofman said.

Rofman's visit to Midem was only the second trip to Europe by representatives from the Shawn Fanning-founded company, after initial discussions with labels and trade associations in December. An Aim deal is currently being negotiated, he confirmed, as talks also continue with other European indies.

While the name Snocap has already become synonymous with legitimate peer-to-peer, Rofman stresses that this is not all that it can offer. "P2P is the low hanging fruit," he says. "But in five years' time, the model might be totally different."