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{{Infobox website
{{Infobox website
| name = Guvera Ltd
| name = Guvera Ltd
| favicon =
| location_city = [[Gold Coast, Queensland]], [[Australia]]
| location_city = [[Gold Coast, Queensland]], [[Australia]]
| logo = Guvera logo.svg
| logo = Guvera logo.svg
| caption =
| url = {{URL|http://www.guvera.com/}}
| alexa = {{IncreaseNegative}} 155,257 ({{as of|2016|05|10|alt=May 2016}})<ref name="alexa">{{cite web|url= http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/guvera.com |title= Guvera.com Site Info | publisher= [[Alexa Internet]] |accessdate= 2016-05-10 }}</ref>
| commercial =
| area_served = Australia, USA, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand, Ukraine, UAE, Venezuela, Vietnam
| area_served = Australia, USA, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand, Ukraine, UAE, Venezuela, Vietnam
| type = Music, Entertainment
| type = Music, Entertainment
Line 19: Line 14:
| language = 4
| language = 4
| launch_date = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2008}}
| launch_date = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2008}}
| current_status = Operations ceased
| current_status = Defunct
| native_clients = [[Windows Phone]], [[Android (operating system)|Android]], [[iOS]]
| native_clients = [[Windows Phone]], [[Android (operating system)|Android]], [[iOS]]
| dissolved = {{end date and age|2017|05}}
| screenshot =
}}
}}


'''Guvera''' was an online music and entertainment streaming service founded in 2008. Guvera has agreements with the music labels in the regions where the product was available, which allowed for legal free music streams.<ref>{{cite news |title=Billboard.biz Q&A: Guvera CEO Claes Loberg |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/news/e3i880bb60276c80517f5cd1030a7a19774 |publisher=Billboard.biz by Glenn Peoples, Nashville |date=2010-04-10 |accessdate=2012-04-17 }}</ref> As of May 2017, Guvera has shut down all operations across all remaining Asian markets.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.techinasia.com/guvera-ceases-operations|title=Tech in Asia - Connecting Asia's startup ecosystem|website=www.techinasia.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-07-14}}</ref>
'''Guvera''' was an online music and entertainment streaming service. It was founded in 2008. Guvera has agreements with the music labels in the regions where the product was available, which allowed for legal free music streams.<ref>{{cite news |title=Billboard.biz Q&A: Guvera CEO Claes Loberg |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/news/e3i880bb60276c80517f5cd1030a7a19774 |publisher=Billboard.biz by Glenn Peoples, Nashville |date=2010-04-10 |accessdate=2012-04-17 }}</ref> In May 2017, Guvera shut down all operations across all remaining Asian markets.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.techinasia.com/guvera-ceases-operations| title=Brief: Music streaming startup Guvera ceases operations | work=[[Tech in Asia]] | first=Jack | last=Ellis | date=15 May 2017}}</ref>


==Music streaming==
==Music streaming==
Guvera streams music and entertainment for its users<ref>{{cite news |title=Former Virgin Boss Phil Quartararo Joins Guvera |url=http://www.undercover.fm/news/15615-former-virgin-boss-phil-quartararo-joins-guvera |publisher=Undercover. | author = Paul Cashmere | authorlink = Paul Cashmere |date=2011-08-12 |accessdate=2011-10-18 }}</ref><ref name="themusicnetwork.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.themusicnetwork.com/news/exclusive-guvera-founder-claes-loberg-were-not-a-music-app|title=Exclusive: Guvera founder Claes Loberg, "We're not a music app" - The Music Network|website=www.themusicnetwork.com|access-date=2016-08-01}}</ref> and has signed licensing agreements with [[Universal Music Group]],<ref name="Universal Music Group, New York">{{cite news |title=Universal Music Group (UMG) Partners With Guvera Limited for 2010 Launch of Guvera.com |url=http://www.universalmusic.com/corporate/news35704 |publisher=Universal Music Group, New York |date=2009-11-18 |accessdate=2011-10-18 }}</ref> [[EMI]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Guvera Limited Signs Deals With EMI Music & IODA for 2010 US Launch |url=http://www.emimusic.com/news/2009/guvera-limited-signs-deals-with-emi-music-ioda-for-2010-us-launch/ |publisher=EMI Music. NEW YORK |date=2009-12-09 |accessdate=2011-10-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727074421/http://www.emimusic.com/news/2009/guvera-limited-signs-deals-with-emi-music-ioda-for-2010-us-launch/ |archive-date=27 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[The Orchard (company)|Orchard]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Business Matters: Guvera, Google, EMI, Pitchfork and more. |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/news/e3i665ac00464803dd2b204334b480ea2fa |publisher=Billboard. By Glenn Peoples. |date=2010-07-08 |accessdate=2011-10-18 }}</ref> [[INgrooves]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Ad-Supported Guvera To Launch in U.S. on March 30 |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/news/e3i6baa5818ddcc27e12ea74981d0c6db86 |publisher=Billboard.biz By Glenn Peoples. |date=2010-02-19 |accessdate=2011-10-18 }}</ref> [[IODA]],<ref name="Universal Music Group, New York"/> [[Liberation Music|Mushroom/Liberation]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Guvera Inks Oz Deal With Liberation |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/global/guvera-inks-oz-deal-with-liberation-1004095016.story |publisher=Billboard.biz by Lars Brandle |date=2010-06-02 |accessdate=2012-04-17 }}</ref> [[Shock Records]], Believe Digital; in addition to the rights bodies [[Australasian Performing Right Association|APRA]], AMCOS, [[Broadcast Music, Inc.|BMI]], [[RightsFlow]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Guvera Taps RightsFlow For Publishing, Licensing, and Administration Services |url=http://rightsflow.com/2010/04/guvera-taps-rightsflow-for-publishing-licensing-and-adminstration-services/ |publisher=RightsFlow. New York. |date=2010-04-01 |accessdate=2011-10-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100409020353/http://rightsflow.com/2010/04/guvera-taps-rightsflow-for-publishing-licensing-and-adminstration-services/ |archive-date=9 April 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Acodem, [[SESAC]], Cash, Emmasacm, Extraphone, Peer, Prs/Impel, Filscap, First Music Publishing, Latinautor, Macp, Megaliner, National Music Publishing, Sabam, Sadaic, Sba, Sacem, Siae, Socan, Sonyatv, Sesac, Sgae, Solar, Warner Chappell, Universal Music Publishing, and Unisys.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ad-Supported Guvera To Launch in U.S. on March 30 |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/news/e3i6baa5818ddcc27e12ea74981d0c6db86 |publisher=Billboard.biz. By Glenn Peoples. |date=2010-02-19 |accessdate=2011-10-18 }}</ref> Guvera distributes DRM-free MP3 downloads with bitrates of 256 and 320 kbit/s.<ref>{{cite news |title=Aussie online service Guvera offers guilt-free MP3 downloads |url=http://www.thevine.com.au/news/articles/aussie-online-service-guvera-offers-guilt_free-mp3-downloads.aspx |publisher=The Vine |author=[[Andrew McMillen]] |date=2010-03-29 |accessdate=2012-04-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315194625/http://www.thevine.com.au/news/articles/aussie-online-service-guvera-offers-guilt_free-mp3-downloads.aspx |archive-date=15 March 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Guvera is also a targeted advertising platform,<ref name="themusicnetwork.com"/> which targets ads at relevant music genres.<ref name="Universal Music Group, New York"/> Content can be streamed via brand channels from within Guvera's platform, and the advertisers have a role in the selecting music content.<ref name="The Courier-Mail. By Phil Bartsch">{{cite news |title=Aussie firm Guvera steps up operations as it takes on iTunes |url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/business/entrepreneur/aussie-firm-guvera-steps-up-operations-as-it-takes-on-itunes/story-fn7ve51s-1226153480451 |publisher=The Courier-Mail. By Phil Bartsch. |date=2011-09-30 |accessdate=2011-10-18 }}</ref>
Guvera streams music and entertainment for its users<ref>{{cite news |title=Former Virgin Boss Phil Quartararo Joins Guvera |url=http://www.undercover.fm/news/15615-former-virgin-boss-phil-quartararo-joins-guvera |publisher=Undercover. | author = Paul Cashmere | authorlink = Paul Cashmere |date=2011-08-12 |accessdate=2011-10-18 }}</ref><ref name="themusicnetwork.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.themusicnetwork.com/news/exclusive-guvera-founder-claes-loberg-were-not-a-music-app|title=Exclusive: Guvera founder Claes Loberg, "We're not a music app" - The Music Network|website=www.themusicnetwork.com|access-date=2016-08-01}}</ref> and has signed licensing agreements with [[Universal Music Group]],<ref name="Universal Music Group, New York">{{cite news |title=Universal Music Group (UMG) Partners With Guvera Limited for 2010 Launch of Guvera.com |url=http://www.universalmusic.com/corporate/news35704 |publisher=Universal Music Group, New York |date=2009-11-18 |accessdate=2011-10-18 }}</ref> [[EMI]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Guvera Limited Signs Deals With EMI Music & IODA for 2010 US Launch |url=http://www.emimusic.com/news/2009/guvera-limited-signs-deals-with-emi-music-ioda-for-2010-us-launch/ |publisher=EMI Music. NEW YORK |date=2009-12-09 |accessdate=2011-10-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727074421/http://www.emimusic.com/news/2009/guvera-limited-signs-deals-with-emi-music-ioda-for-2010-us-launch/ |archive-date=27 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[The Orchard (company)|Orchard]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Business Matters: Guvera, Google, EMI, Pitchfork and more. |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/news/e3i665ac00464803dd2b204334b480ea2fa |publisher=Billboard. By Glenn Peoples. |date=2010-07-08 |accessdate=2011-10-18 }}</ref> [[INgrooves]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Ad-Supported Guvera To Launch in U.S. on March 30 |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/news/e3i6baa5818ddcc27e12ea74981d0c6db86 |publisher=Billboard.biz By Glenn Peoples. |date=2010-02-19 |accessdate=2011-10-18 }}</ref> [[IODA]],<ref name="Universal Music Group, New York"/> [[Liberation Music|Mushroom/Liberation]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Guvera Inks Oz Deal With Liberation | url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/global/guvera-inks-oz-deal-with-liberation-1004095016.story |publisher=Billboard.biz by Lars Brandle | date=2010-06-02 |accessdate=2012-04-17 }}</ref> [[Shock Records]], Believe Digital; in addition to the rights bodies [[Australasian Performing Right Association|APRA]], AMCOS, [[Broadcast Music, Inc.|BMI]], [[RightsFlow]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Guvera Taps RightsFlow For Publishing, Licensing, and Administration Services |url=http://rightsflow.com/2010/04/guvera-taps-rightsflow-for-publishing-licensing-and-adminstration-services/ |publisher=RightsFlow. New York. |date=2010-04-01 |accessdate=2011-10-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100409020353/http://rightsflow.com/2010/04/guvera-taps-rightsflow-for-publishing-licensing-and-adminstration-services/ |archive-date=9 April 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Acodem, [[SESAC]], Cash, Emmasacm, Extraphone, Peer, Prs/Impel, Filscap, First Music Publishing, Latinautor, Macp, Megaliner, National Music Publishing, Sabam, Sadaic, Sba, Sacem, Siae, Socan, Sonyatv, Sesac, Sgae, Solar, Warner Chappell, Universal Music Publishing, and Unisys.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ad-Supported Guvera To Launch in U.S. on March 30 |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/news/e3i6baa5818ddcc27e12ea74981d0c6db86 |publisher=Billboard.biz. By Glenn Peoples. |date=2010-02-19 |accessdate=2011-10-18 }}</ref> Guvera distributes DRM-free MP3 downloads with bitrates of 256 and 320 kbit/s.<ref>{{cite news |title=Aussie online service Guvera offers guilt-free MP3 downloads |url=http://www.thevine.com.au/news/articles/aussie-online-service-guvera-offers-guilt_free-mp3-downloads.aspx |publisher=The Vine |author=[[Andrew McMillen]] |date=2010-03-29 |accessdate=2012-04-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315194625/http://www.thevine.com.au/news/articles/aussie-online-service-guvera-offers-guilt_free-mp3-downloads.aspx |archive-date=15 March 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Guvera is also a targeted advertising platform,<ref name="themusicnetwork.com"/> which targets ads at relevant music genres.<ref name="Universal Music Group, New York"/> Content can be streamed via brand channels from within Guvera's platform, and the advertisers have a role in the selecting music content.<ref name="The Courier-Mail. By Phil Bartsch">{{cite news |title=Aussie firm Guvera steps up operations as it takes on iTunes |url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/business/entrepreneur/aussie-firm-guvera-steps-up-operations-as-it-takes-on-itunes/story-fn7ve51s-1226153480451 |publisher=The Courier-Mail. By Phil Bartsch. |date=2011-09-30 |accessdate=2011-10-18 }}</ref>


Guvera was available on [[web browser]]s, [[iOS]], [[Android (operating system)|Android]] and the [[Windows Phone]].
Guvera was available on [[web browser]]s, [[iOS]], [[Android (operating system)|Android]] and the [[Windows Phone]].
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On August 2011, Guvera appointed [[Phil Quartararo]] as its Global Head of Music.<ref>{{cite news |title=Former Virgin Boss Phil Quartararo Joins Guvera |url=http://www.undercover.fm/news/15615-former-virgin-boss-phil-quartararo-joins-guvera |publisher=Undercover | author = Paul Cashmere. |date=2011-08-12 |accessdate=2011-10-18 }}</ref> In September 2011 Guvera moved into new headquarters in The Rocket in Robina, Gold Coast, Australia.<ref name="The Courier-Mail. By Phil Bartsch"/> In March 2012, Guvera created a mobile platform<ref>{{cite news |title=Australian online music start-up goes mobile |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/australian-online-music-start-up-goes-mobile/story-e6frgakx-1226312683350 |publisher=Australian IT. By Andrew Colley. |date=2012-03-29 |accessdate=2012-03-30 }}</ref> and in December 2012, Guvera released mobile apps for IOS and Android in Australia.<ref>{{cite news |title=Australia’s Guvera Offers Free Streaming Music On Android And iOS Devices |url=http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2013/01/guvera-offers-free-streaming-music-on-android-and-ios-devices/ |publisher=Gizmodo Australia. By Angus Kidman. |date=2013-01-15 |accessdate=2013-05-10 }}</ref> An iPad app was then released in August 2013.<ref>{{cite news |title=Music-streaming service Guvera looks beyond the digital jukebox with re-engineered User Interface and unlimited free content |url=http://www.campaignbrief.com/2013/10/music-streaming-service-guvera.html |publisher=Campaign Brief by Tyler Brockington |date=2013-10-24 |accessdate=2014-05-05 }}</ref> In March 2014, Guvera signed an agreement with [[Lenovo]] to become its worldwide music partner, with Guvera's music streaming service pre-installed onto Lenovo mobile devices.<ref>{{cite news |title=Guvera scores grandstand streaming deal with Lenovo |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/latest/guvera-scores-grandstand-lenovo-deal/story-e6frg90f-1226844553590 |publisher=The Australian by Supratim Adhikari |date=2014-03-04 |accessdate=2014-05-05 }}</ref>
On August 2011, Guvera appointed [[Phil Quartararo]] as its Global Head of Music.<ref>{{cite news |title=Former Virgin Boss Phil Quartararo Joins Guvera |url=http://www.undercover.fm/news/15615-former-virgin-boss-phil-quartararo-joins-guvera |publisher=Undercover | author = Paul Cashmere. |date=2011-08-12 |accessdate=2011-10-18 }}</ref> In September 2011 Guvera moved into new headquarters in The Rocket in Robina, Gold Coast, Australia.<ref name="The Courier-Mail. By Phil Bartsch"/> In March 2012, Guvera created a mobile platform<ref>{{cite news |title=Australian online music start-up goes mobile |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/australian-online-music-start-up-goes-mobile/story-e6frgakx-1226312683350 |publisher=Australian IT. By Andrew Colley. |date=2012-03-29 |accessdate=2012-03-30 }}</ref> and in December 2012, Guvera released mobile apps for IOS and Android in Australia.<ref>{{cite news |title=Australia’s Guvera Offers Free Streaming Music On Android And iOS Devices |url=http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2013/01/guvera-offers-free-streaming-music-on-android-and-ios-devices/ |publisher=Gizmodo Australia. By Angus Kidman. |date=2013-01-15 |accessdate=2013-05-10 }}</ref> An iPad app was then released in August 2013.<ref>{{cite news |title=Music-streaming service Guvera looks beyond the digital jukebox with re-engineered User Interface and unlimited free content |url=http://www.campaignbrief.com/2013/10/music-streaming-service-guvera.html |publisher=Campaign Brief by Tyler Brockington |date=2013-10-24 |accessdate=2014-05-05 }}</ref> In March 2014, Guvera signed an agreement with [[Lenovo]] to become its worldwide music partner, with Guvera's music streaming service pre-installed onto Lenovo mobile devices.<ref>{{cite news |title=Guvera scores grandstand streaming deal with Lenovo |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/latest/guvera-scores-grandstand-lenovo-deal/story-e6frg90f-1226844553590 |publisher=The Australian by Supratim Adhikari |date=2014-03-04 |accessdate=2014-05-05 }}</ref>


In January 2015 Guvera acquired [[Blinkbox Music]] from [[Tesco]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Glenday|first1=John|title=Tesco sells Blinkbox Music to Guvera|url=http://www.thedrum.com/news/2015/01/26/tesco-sells-blinkbox-music-guvera|accessdate=28 January 2015|work=The Drum|date=26 January 2015}}</ref> It placed the company into [[Administration (law)|administration]] in June 2015,<ref>{{cite news|title=100 staff laid off at Blinkbox Music Ltd as Guvera dumps UK office|url=http://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/100-staff-laid-off-at-blinkbox-music-ltd-as-guvera-dumps-uk-office/|accessdate=12 June 2015|work=Music Business Worldwide|date=12 June 2015}}</ref> having exhausted Blinkbox's financial reserves. The company had bought Blinkbox Music as part of an agreement with Tesco that it would pay its employees a higher rate of redundancy payment if the business failed, which it did not honour.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sweney|first1=Mark|title=Ex-Blinkbox Music staff launch £10m legal action after Tesco sale|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/oct/08/blinkbox-music-staff-legal-action-tesco-sale|accessdate=9 November 2015|work=The Guardian|date=8 October 2015}}</ref> In 2015 the company received a Gold award at Asia App Design Awards.<ref>http://www.music-asia.com/2015/09/guvera-awarded-gold-at-asia-app-design-awards-2015/</ref>
In January 2015 Guvera acquired [[Blinkbox Music]] from [[Tesco]].<ref>{{cite news| last1=Glenday|first1=John|title=Tesco sells Blinkbox Music to Guvera| url=http://www.thedrum.com/news/2015/01/26/tesco-sells-blinkbox-music-guvera|accessdate=28 January 2015| work=The Drum| date=26 January 2015}}</ref> It placed the company into [[Administration (law)|administration]] in June 2015,<ref>{{cite news| title=100 staff laid off at Blinkbox Music Ltd as Guvera dumps UK office|url=http://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/100-staff-laid-off-at-blinkbox-music-ltd-as-guvera-dumps-uk-office/|accessdate=12 June 2015| work=Music Business Worldwide|date=12 June 2015}}</ref> having exhausted Blinkbox's financial reserves. The company had bought Blinkbox Music as part of an agreement with Tesco that it would pay its employees a higher rate of redundancy payment if the business failed, which it did not honour.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sweney|first1=Mark|title=Ex-Blinkbox Music staff launch £10m legal action after Tesco sale|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/oct/08/blinkbox-music-staff-legal-action-tesco-sale|accessdate=9 November 2015|work=The Guardian|date=8 October 2015}}</ref> In 2015 the company received a Gold award at Asia App Design Awards.<ref>http://www.music-asia.com/2015/09/guvera-awarded-gold-at-asia-app-design-awards-2015/</ref>


In October 2015 the former employees of [[Blinkbox Music]] filed a £10m Employment Tribunal case against Guvera.<ref>{{cite news|title=GUVERA HIT BY £10M LAWSUIT FROM EX-BLINKBOX UK EMPLOYEES|url=http://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/guvera-hit-by-10m-lawsuit-from-ex-blinkbox-uk-employees/|accessdate=8 October 2015|work=Music Business Worldwide|date=8 October 2015}}</ref> The Tribunal awarded them £3.5m in damages, which Guvera appealed. The Employment Appeal Tribunal dismissed the appeal in November 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/employment-appeal-tribunal-decisions/guvera-ltd-v-ms-c-butler-and-others-ukeat-0265-16-dm|title=Guvera Ltd v Ms C Butler and Others: UKEAT/0265/16/DM - GOV.UK|website=www.gov.uk|language=en|access-date=2017-11-23}}</ref>
In October 2015 the former employees of [[Blinkbox Music]] filed a £10m Employment Tribunal case against Guvera.<ref>{{cite news| title=GUVERA HIT BY £10M LAWSUIT FROM EX-BLINKBOX UK EMPLOYEES |url=http://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/guvera-hit-by-10m-lawsuit-from-ex-blinkbox-uk-employees/ |accessdate=8 October 2015|work=Music Business Worldwide |date=8 October 2015}}</ref> The Tribunal awarded them £3.5m in damages, which Guvera appealed. The Employment Appeal Tribunal dismissed the appeal in November 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gov.uk/employment-appeal-tribunal-decisions/guvera-ltd-v-ms-c-butler-and-others-ukeat-0265-16-dm |title=Guvera Ltd v Ms C Butler and Others: UKEAT/0265/16/DM - GOV.UK |website=www.gov.uk|language=en|access-date=2017-11-23}}</ref>


In May 2016 Guvera won an international Gold at the Global App Design Awards.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mumbrella.com.au/guvera-wins-international-gold-design100-global-app-awards-367825|title=Guvera wins International Gold at Design100 Global [app] Awards - Mumbrella|date=2016-05-18|language=en-US|access-date=2016-08-01}}</ref>
In May 2016 Guvera won an international Gold at the Global App Design Awards.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://mumbrella.com.au/guvera-wins-international-gold-design100-global-app-awards-367825|title=Guvera wins International Gold at Design100 Global [app] Awards - | work=[[Mumbrella]] |date=18 May 2016}}</ref>


In June 2016 Guvera was blocked from a stockmarket listing.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/business/guvera-float-blocked-from-asx/news-story/25b9b9e45294a4df1e97ad81c8008e8c|title=Guvera float blocked from ASX|last=|first=|date=|website=|publisher=|access-date=}}</ref>
In June 2016 Guvera was blocked from a stockmarket listing.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/business/guvera-float-blocked-from-asx/news-story/25b9b9e45294a4df1e97ad81c8008e8c|title=Guvera float blocked from ASX|last=|first=|date=|website=|publisher=|access-date=}}</ref>


Guvera began operating in only 5 markets: Australia, India, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates and in July 2016, Darren Herft stepped down as CEO and co-founder Claes Loberg stepped into the position.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Billboard Staff|title=Guvera CEO Darren Herft Is Stepping Down|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/7446745/guvera-ceo-darren-herft-is-stepping-down|website=Billboard|publisher=Billboard|accessdate=25 July 2016}}</ref>
Guvera began operating in only 5 markets: Australia, India, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates and in July 2016, Darren Herft stepped down as CEO and co-founder Claes Loberg stepped into the position.<ref>{{cite web |title=Guvera CEO Darren Herft Is Stepping Down |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/7446745/guvera-ceo-darren-herft-is-stepping-down |work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | date=15 July 2016}}</ref>


On 27 July 2016, the company shut down its operations in its home market of Australia and reiterated its intentions to "focus all efforts in key emerging countries, such as India and Indonesia".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mumbrella.com.au/guvera-exit-australia-vows-press-emerging-markets-383713|title=Guvera to exit Australia but vows to press on in emerging markets|last=Jones|first=Steve|date=2016-07-27|website=Mumbrella|publisher=|access-date=}}</ref>
On 27 July 2016, the company shut down its operations in its home market of Australia and reiterated its intentions to "focus all efforts in key emerging countries, such as India and Indonesia".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://mumbrella.com.au/guvera-exit-australia-vows-press-emerging-markets-383713 |title=Guvera to exit Australia but vows to press on in emerging markets |last=Jones| first=Steve | date=2016-07-27 |website=[[Mumbrella]]}}</ref>


On 27 June 2017 it was reported that a federal investigation in to Guvera had started.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2017/06/27/guvera-180-million-loss/|title=Was Guvera the Bernie Madoff of the Music Industry?|last=27|first=Zig Zag June|last2=2017|date=2017-06-27|website=Digital Music News|access-date=2017-06-30}}</ref>
On 27 June 2017 it was reported that a federal investigation in to Guvera had started.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2017/06/27/guvera-180-million-loss/ |title=Was Guvera the Bernie Madoff of the Music Industry?|website=Digital Music News| date=27 June 2017}}</ref>


On 22 November 2017 it was reported that Guvera had lost their appeal against an earlier ruling, which found in favour of the former employees of Blinkbox Music.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.completemusicupdate.com/article/guvera-fails-to-overturn-ruling-in-dispute-with-former-blinkbox-employees/|title=Guvera fails to overturn ruling in dispute with former Blinkbox employees {{!}} Complete Music Update|website=www.completemusicupdate.com|access-date=2018-01-17}}</ref>
On 22 November 2017 it was reported that Guvera had lost their appeal against an earlier ruling, which found in favour of the former employees of Blinkbox Music.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://completemusicupdate.com/article/guvera-fails-to-overturn-ruling-in-dispute-with-former-blinkbox-employees/ |title=Guvera fails to overturn ruling in dispute with former Blinkbox employees | work=Complete Music Update | date=23 November 2017}}</ref>


In January 2018, former CEO Darren Herft was questioned in a public hearing by the Federal Court of Sydney about the company's operation and failure.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://mumbrella.com.au/former-guvera-ceo-darren-herft-reveals-plans-launch-dragonfly-music-grilled-court-companys-collapse-490695|title=Former Guvera CEO Darren Herft reveals plans to launch Dragonfly Music as he is grilled in court over company's collapse - Mumbrella|date=2017-12-19|work=Mumbrella|access-date=2018-01-17|language=en-US}}</ref>
In January 2018, former CEO Darren Herft was questioned in a public hearing by the Federal Court of Sydney about the company's operation and failure.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://mumbrella.com.au/former-guvera-ceo-darren-herft-reveals-plans-launch-dragonfly-music-grilled-court-companys-collapse-490695 |title=Former Guvera CEO Darren Herft reveals plans to launch Dragonfly Music as he is grilled in court over company's collapse| date=2017-12-19| work=[[Mumbrella]]}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
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[[Category:2008 establishments in Australia]]
[[Category:Companies established in 2008]]
[[Category:Companies established in 2008]]
[[Category:Internet properties established in 2008]]
[[Category:Internet properties disestablished in 2017]]
[[Category:Australian streaming companies]]
[[Category:Australian streaming companies]]
[[Category:2008 software]]
[[Category:2008 software]]

Revision as of 20:13, 21 November 2020

Guvera Ltd
Type of site
Music, Entertainment
Available in4
DissolvedMay 2017; 7 years ago (2017-05)
Headquarters
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Area servedAustralia, USA, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand, Ukraine, UAE, Venezuela, Vietnam
Founder(s)Claes Loberg, Brad Christiansen
IndustryMusic
RegistrationRequired
Users10,000,000+
Launched2008; 16 years ago (2008)
Current statusDefunct
Native client(s) onWindows Phone, Android, iOS

Guvera was an online music and entertainment streaming service. It was founded in 2008. Guvera has agreements with the music labels in the regions where the product was available, which allowed for legal free music streams.[1] In May 2017, Guvera shut down all operations across all remaining Asian markets.[2]

Music streaming

Guvera streams music and entertainment for its users[3][4] and has signed licensing agreements with Universal Music Group,[5] EMI,[6] Orchard,[7] INgrooves,[8] IODA,[5] Mushroom/Liberation,[9] Shock Records, Believe Digital; in addition to the rights bodies APRA, AMCOS, BMI, RightsFlow,[10] Acodem, SESAC, Cash, Emmasacm, Extraphone, Peer, Prs/Impel, Filscap, First Music Publishing, Latinautor, Macp, Megaliner, National Music Publishing, Sabam, Sadaic, Sba, Sacem, Siae, Socan, Sonyatv, Sesac, Sgae, Solar, Warner Chappell, Universal Music Publishing, and Unisys.[11] Guvera distributes DRM-free MP3 downloads with bitrates of 256 and 320 kbit/s.[12] Guvera is also a targeted advertising platform,[4] which targets ads at relevant music genres.[5] Content can be streamed via brand channels from within Guvera's platform, and the advertisers have a role in the selecting music content.[13]

Guvera was available on web browsers, iOS, Android and the Windows Phone.

History

Guvera was initially funded by AMMA Private Investment out of Australia.[14] Guvera raised about $50m from its base of about 1000 smaller sophisticated investors primarily made up of accounting firms and other financial services businesses.[15] Guvera was incorporated in 2008, and launched beta in Australia February 2010,[16] and in the US March, 2010.[17][18] Guvera was initially released as a beta to a select group of users by invitation only.[19]

On August 2011, Guvera appointed Phil Quartararo as its Global Head of Music.[20] In September 2011 Guvera moved into new headquarters in The Rocket in Robina, Gold Coast, Australia.[13] In March 2012, Guvera created a mobile platform[21] and in December 2012, Guvera released mobile apps for IOS and Android in Australia.[22] An iPad app was then released in August 2013.[23] In March 2014, Guvera signed an agreement with Lenovo to become its worldwide music partner, with Guvera's music streaming service pre-installed onto Lenovo mobile devices.[24]

In January 2015 Guvera acquired Blinkbox Music from Tesco.[25] It placed the company into administration in June 2015,[26] having exhausted Blinkbox's financial reserves. The company had bought Blinkbox Music as part of an agreement with Tesco that it would pay its employees a higher rate of redundancy payment if the business failed, which it did not honour.[27] In 2015 the company received a Gold award at Asia App Design Awards.[28]

In October 2015 the former employees of Blinkbox Music filed a £10m Employment Tribunal case against Guvera.[29] The Tribunal awarded them £3.5m in damages, which Guvera appealed. The Employment Appeal Tribunal dismissed the appeal in November 2017.[30]

In May 2016 Guvera won an international Gold at the Global App Design Awards.[31]

In June 2016 Guvera was blocked from a stockmarket listing.[32]

Guvera began operating in only 5 markets: Australia, India, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates and in July 2016, Darren Herft stepped down as CEO and co-founder Claes Loberg stepped into the position.[33]

On 27 July 2016, the company shut down its operations in its home market of Australia and reiterated its intentions to "focus all efforts in key emerging countries, such as India and Indonesia".[34]

On 27 June 2017 it was reported that a federal investigation in to Guvera had started.[35]

On 22 November 2017 it was reported that Guvera had lost their appeal against an earlier ruling, which found in favour of the former employees of Blinkbox Music.[36]

In January 2018, former CEO Darren Herft was questioned in a public hearing by the Federal Court of Sydney about the company's operation and failure.[37]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Billboard.biz Q&A: Guvera CEO Claes Loberg". Billboard.biz by Glenn Peoples, Nashville. 10 April 2010. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
  2. ^ Ellis, Jack (15 May 2017). "Brief: Music streaming startup Guvera ceases operations". Tech in Asia.
  3. ^ Paul Cashmere (12 August 2011). "Former Virgin Boss Phil Quartararo Joins Guvera". Undercover. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  4. ^ a b "Exclusive: Guvera founder Claes Loberg, "We're not a music app" - The Music Network". www.themusicnetwork.com. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  5. ^ a b c "Universal Music Group (UMG) Partners With Guvera Limited for 2010 Launch of Guvera.com". Universal Music Group, New York. 18 November 2009. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  6. ^ "Guvera Limited Signs Deals With EMI Music & IODA for 2010 US Launch". EMI Music. NEW YORK. 9 December 2009. Archived from the original on 27 July 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  7. ^ "Business Matters: Guvera, Google, EMI, Pitchfork and more". Billboard. By Glenn Peoples. 8 July 2010. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  8. ^ "Ad-Supported Guvera To Launch in U.S. on March 30". Billboard.biz By Glenn Peoples. 19 February 2010. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  9. ^ "Guvera Inks Oz Deal With Liberation". Billboard.biz by Lars Brandle. 2 June 2010. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
  10. ^ "Guvera Taps RightsFlow For Publishing, Licensing, and Administration Services". RightsFlow. New York. 1 April 2010. Archived from the original on 9 April 2010. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  11. ^ "Ad-Supported Guvera To Launch in U.S. on March 30". Billboard.biz. By Glenn Peoples. 19 February 2010. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  12. ^ Andrew McMillen (29 March 2010). "Aussie online service Guvera offers guilt-free MP3 downloads". The Vine. Archived from the original on 15 March 2012. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
  13. ^ a b "Aussie firm Guvera steps up operations as it takes on iTunes". The Courier-Mail. By Phil Bartsch. 30 September 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  14. ^ "Guvera Raises $20M For Stealthy Brand-Supported Music And Video Service". TechCrunch. By Robin Wauters. 18 January 2010. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  15. ^ "Music-with-ads start-up Guvera to list in US". The Australian. By Andrew Colley. 29 March 2012. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
  16. ^ "Ad-Supported Guvera Launches Down Under". Billboard.biz. 2 February 2010. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  17. ^ "Ad-Supported Guvera To Launch in U.S. on March 30". Billboard.biz. 19 February 2010. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  18. ^ "Queensland entrepreneurs take out top honours". Ernst & Young. 22 July 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  19. ^ "Free, Ad-Supported Music... With a Twist". Wired By Eliot Van Buskirk. 18 October 2010. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  20. ^ Paul Cashmere. (12 August 2011). "Former Virgin Boss Phil Quartararo Joins Guvera". Undercover. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  21. ^ "Australian online music start-up goes mobile". Australian IT. By Andrew Colley. 29 March 2012. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
  22. ^ "Australia's Guvera Offers Free Streaming Music On Android And iOS Devices". Gizmodo Australia. By Angus Kidman. 15 January 2013. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
  23. ^ "Music-streaming service Guvera looks beyond the digital jukebox with re-engineered User Interface and unlimited free content". Campaign Brief by Tyler Brockington. 24 October 2013. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  24. ^ "Guvera scores grandstand streaming deal with Lenovo". The Australian by Supratim Adhikari. 4 March 2014. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  25. ^ Glenday, John (26 January 2015). "Tesco sells Blinkbox Music to Guvera". The Drum. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  26. ^ "100 staff laid off at Blinkbox Music Ltd as Guvera dumps UK office". Music Business Worldwide. 12 June 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  27. ^ Sweney, Mark (8 October 2015). "Ex-Blinkbox Music staff launch £10m legal action after Tesco sale". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  28. ^ http://www.music-asia.com/2015/09/guvera-awarded-gold-at-asia-app-design-awards-2015/
  29. ^ "GUVERA HIT BY £10M LAWSUIT FROM EX-BLINKBOX UK EMPLOYEES". Music Business Worldwide. 8 October 2015. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
  30. ^ "Guvera Ltd v Ms C Butler and Others: UKEAT/0265/16/DM - GOV.UK". www.gov.uk. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
  31. ^ "Guvera wins International Gold at Design100 Global [app] Awards -". Mumbrella. 18 May 2016.
  32. ^ "Guvera float blocked from ASX".
  33. ^ "Guvera CEO Darren Herft Is Stepping Down". Billboard. 15 July 2016.
  34. ^ Jones, Steve (27 July 2016). "Guvera to exit Australia but vows to press on in emerging markets". Mumbrella.
  35. ^ "Was Guvera the Bernie Madoff of the Music Industry?". Digital Music News. 27 June 2017.
  36. ^ "Guvera fails to overturn ruling in dispute with former Blinkbox employees". Complete Music Update. 23 November 2017.
  37. ^ "Former Guvera CEO Darren Herft reveals plans to launch Dragonfly Music as he is grilled in court over company's collapse". Mumbrella. 19 December 2017.
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