BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) Inks Deal with 7Digital to Continue Music Services

BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) (TSE:BB) and 7Digital Group Plc (LON:7DIG) reached an agreement to continue providing music services on BlackBerry devices.

According to 7Digital Group Plc (LON:7DIG), the details of its new agreement with BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) (TSE:BB) have been sent to all the users of the current BlackBerry World storefront for them to be able to continue using their “lockers” to purchase and stream music.

The users of BlackBerry World storefront have 12 months to transfer to new lockers.  BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) (TSE:BB) signed a contract with 7Digital Plc (LON:7DIG) to take care of the transition. The digital music and radio services provider will also manage the new lockers. It will also create a new app for BlackBerry users for them to be able to continue buying music.

In a statement, Simon Cole, CEO of 7Digital Group Plc (LON:7DIG) said, “We are pleased to have agreed new terms with BlackBerry to provide its users with access to music. This arrangement ensures both the continuation of our relationship with BlackBerry and our ability to sell music to its users.”

According to 7Digital Group Plc (LON:7DIG), it will also takeover the sales of music from BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) (TSE:BB) wherein it will retain all profit margin from track sales. The companies previously shared the profit margins from the music sales.

BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) (TSE:BB) agreed to pay a monthly fee to 7Digital Group Plc (LON:&DIG) for the use of its music platform until August 2015.

Yesterday, BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) (TSE:BB) announced that its BlackBerry Z30 smartphone was recognized as gold winner in the Consumer and Product of the Year category at the Biz in Best Awards 2014 International.

The Canadian smartphone manufacturer touted that the BlackBerry Z30 smartphone has the most-secured end-to-end technology, and it has the longest battery life of up to 25 hours of mixed use.

Ron Louks, BlackBerry’s president of Devices and Emerging Solutions said, “The BlackBerry Z30 is an outstanding device for users who demand to stay hyper connected, productive and always in control.”