LONDON - 16 January 2006 - The UK record industry has teamed up with global data standards body, GS1 UK, to help independent record labels get their music online, in stores and onto the charts with the help of GS1's unique global numbering system.

The deal, called Unique Music, done with independent labels body The Association of Independent Music (AIM) and the British record industry's trade association the BPI streamlines the process of assigning unique numbers to albums and tracks which are then used in bar coding or as online identifiers.

This allows the accurate tracking of both physical and digital music sales, which will help with royalty administration and marketing strategy - particularly online.

Under the deal, BPI and AIM members receive extended support, advice and free online training which will save them both time and money.

"We want to make the process of getting music sales identified correctly as simple as possible to allow musicians to focus on making great music, not assigning it unique numbers," said Gary Lynch, chief operating officer at GS1 UK. "The initiative will streamline the distribution process and give visibility into where and how music is being bought and sold."

"This is a great deal for AIM members as it will make the acquisition of bar codes more accessible," said Michael Fuller, Head of Business Affairs at AIM. "AIM is pleased to be involved in the new initiative which will improve access to new digital markets and allow independent labels to compete more effectively."

BPI Director of Independent Member Services Jon Webster said: "The GS1 deal makes it simpler and more cost effective for our members to get the necessary bar codes; we'll always do what we can to make life easier for our members to get on with what they do best - making records."

AIM members should contact Michael Fuller on 020 8994 5599 and BPI members should contact indies director Jon Webster on 020 7803 1314 to find out how to take advantage of the deal.

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About GS1 UK

GS1 UK has driven innovation in the supply chain for over thirty years. It is part of the global GS1 organisation, dedicated to the development and implementation of global data standards and solutions for the supply chain. GS1 standards are the most widely used in the world. GS1 UK helps industry to implement these data standards through the use of bar codes, RFID, Global Data Synchronisation (GDS) and electronic business messaging.
www.gs1uk.org

For more information contact:

Lisa Henshaw or Kirsty Sewter
Fourth Day PR
+44 (0)20 7403 4411

Tom Beston
GS1 UK
+44 (0)20 7655 9000