p2pnet - rss feed: UK’s ring-tones Top 20:
Those ring tones so beloved by mobile phone users and so hated by people trying to watch a movie or take it easy in the park are important enough to have generated a lobby group.
Not only that, starting in March, they’re going to get their own UK Top 20.
The Mobile Entertainment Forum (MEF) says it’s launching the official MEF UK Ringtones chart to be compiled by the giant international accounting firm, KPMG.
"MEF UK Ringtones Top Twenty will be the authoritative fortnightly chart that provides the music and ringtone industry with a sales chart and what’s hot in this fast-moving and important sector of the UK mobile music industry," it says
Ring-tones are a "global billion-dollar business" and "the MEF will launch further new music initiatives in 2004 that will help record labels, artists, managers and publishers participate in the fast-growing new revenue streams and opportunities in mobile entertainment".
Ah … revenue streams. That explains KPMG’s involvement : )
Moreover, "Mobile music is clearly a relevant focus for the international music business!"
KPMG’s Calum Chace says the Ringtones Chart will, "provide a benchmark for the industry as consumers deepen their love affair with mobile ringtones. As this chart evolves, it will track the convergence of fashion, fads and phones and it will highlight the commercial opportunity for the mobile music industry as more music is consumed in the form of ringtones.
"For instance, we can expect to see different songs topping the MEF Ringtones Chart and traditional music charts, as they are bought for different purposes and used on different media."
Wonder how long it’ll take for the RIAA to start suing ringtone users for copyright violations?
