Social Network “VKontakte” limited work with the API for third-party music applications – Kommersant

Social Network “VKontakte” will no longer issue a record belonging to holders, a third-party music applications. It is reported by the newspaper “Izvestia”, citing the press service of the social network. “” VKontakte “not close its API (a set of techniques, provided the application for the use of external software products -. ” b “), for third-party developers, the restrictions in its work will concern only the part of the audio, the right to which belong to the owners. It is important to understand that tangible piece of music, “VKontakte” – so-called indie music that is freely distributed by its authors on the social networking platform, available in all third-party applications “, – quotes the edition Representative” VKontakte »

Thus, the developers actually left only access to the music that is freely available on the Internet. Today, there are many informal application with the music of “VKontakte” in stores all popular platforms (AppStore, Google Play, Windows Store). With these applications, you can listen to all music for free, while the official app gives this possibility only for the regular monthly fee.

Experts told the publication that the social network has taken this decision due to an agreement with the owners. In July of this year, “VKontakte” entered into the world with the company Universal Music Group, and before that with – Warner Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment. Developer third-party music apps for “VKontakte” the Meridian Artem Shuba suggested that changes to work with the social network introduced “so that users went from third-party music apps in the official”. “In the past with the parties (applications -. ” b “) has not fought since had another social network management, and other values ​​and ideals, but for the past two years, changes are aimed primarily at increasing profits. But “VKontakte”, along with the advantages – extensive music database – there is also a problem: a lot of trash in the catalogs and shoddy tracks. Users do not want to pay if all of this will be given in the search, even if the price is low. Will they take a leading position on the market, it depends precisely on whether they can solve this problem. Alternatives few: Apple Music awful runs on Windows, others can not find all the interests of the performer or no applications for any platform “, – explained Mr. Shuba

In the press. -service social networks “Classmates” the publication stated that they have API for music closed to third-party applications, and music player and content are only available in official versions. It also became known that iOS-app back to the section of music on September 3 this year. “Return of the music has been made available thanks to an agreement signed earlier Mail.Ru Group, United Music Agency with the major owners. Music has been and will be free in the web version, as well as in mobile applications. a musical “little presents” are paid, which is a unique way to earn money for the artists “- told in the press service of the social network

About the action taken” VKontakte “. to cleanse the content and conclusion of global agreements with copyright holders, see the article “b” “,” VKontakte “reconciled with Warner».