The US Library of Congress hasn’t been shy about embracing the modern age of digital media, though in this case it’s having to deal with some decidedly lower-fi data storage. Universal Music Group has announced it’s donating over 200,000 master recordings of early 20th century music to the Library, which will be cataloged and digitized — for future safekeeping and in order to be streamed online starting in the spring. It doesn’t seem, however, that the intellectual property rights will be passing with these recordings, as the press release states this agreement continues the Library’s “unprecedented authority to stream commercially owned sound recordings online.” Either way, it’s good to know that the original copies of works by the likes of Louis Armstrong, Billy Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald will reside in the hands of an organization dedicated to their preservation. Full press release follows after the break. Continue reading Library of Congress receives 200,000 vintage master recordings from Universal, will stream them online Library of Congress receives 200,000 vintage master recordings from Universal, will stream them online originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 18:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink