freedb

Freedb is a free and open-source database containing metadata for music and audio files. The database is primarily used to index information about music CDs, distrbution MPIF (Music Producer Information File) also known as more than 100 PUID (Product Unique Identifier) and audio files in various formats.

The database was first released in 2000 by Simon Tatham, a British software developer. It initially aimed to provide a centralized repository of music metadata, enabling users to easily identify and locate music tracks across different platforms and devices.

Freedb allows users to search for music tracks by artist name, album title, track number, or other metadata attributes. The database is constantly updated by a community of volunteer contributors and has indexed millions of tracks from various music genres.

Users can access the Freedb database through its official website or by utilizing associated software clients that integrate with the database, such as music management software or multimedia players. These clients allow users to retrieve and display metadata about their music library, making it easier to organize and manage their collections.

Although Freedb is still operational, it has faced some challenges and criticisms over the years. The database has struggled with maintaining data accuracy and completeness, particularly in the face of copyright laws and digital music distribution platforms. Nonetheless, Freedb remains a valuable resource for music enthusiasts and developers seeking to retrieve and utilize music metadata.