MQA An Uncertain Future

All Image Credit: MQA

With MQA’s financial backers seeking to exit the company, MQA Ltd, the company that developed the MQA digital music technology and is used for much of TIDAL’s Masters library and enables their ‘hi-res’ audio streams, has entered into UK Administration, (Chapter 11 in the US).

According to the latest filings at the UK Governments Company’s House, the company shows a loss of over £4,300,000 for 2021, together with entries of a change in Director’s details for Michael John Jbara on January 12th 2023 and the Termination of appointment as Director of Anthony Edward Rupert on March 17th 2023.

Clearly, and according to The Gazette official public record, Administrators were appointed on April 3rd 2023.

While it appears that MQA Ltd is seeking a buyer and has undergone a restructuring process, what will be the ultimate impact on Tidal, a major user of the MQA digital technology and those users who have licensed the MQA logo and unfolding technology?

Questions also remain around the future of MQAir, the user name for SCL6, a new scalable hi-res format for mobile devices which is already being used by some companies for the development of new mobile products.

The full statement from MQA reads as follows:

“Following the recent positive reception to MQA’s latest technology (SCL6), there has been increased international interest in buying MQA Ltd. At the same time, MQA’s main financial backer is seeking an exit. In order to be in the best position to pursue market opportunities and expedite this process, the company has undergone a restructuring initiative, which includes entering into administration and is comparable to Chapter 11 in the US.

During this process, MQA continues to trade as usual alongside its partners. We won’t be commenting further while negotiations take place.”

Stay tuned for more details as they emerge.