Music-based media networking site Imeem—more or less a streamlined, more tech-savy Myspace Music—has become the first website of its kind to seal legit deals with The Big Four. And what a deal it is: Universal, the last of the four to hold out, is apparently receiving guaranteed pay-per-plays on all their tracks, in addition to the normal Imeem ad revenue split.

Usually, rights-holders in a normal deal with Imeem receive a 50/50 split of ad revenue based on the number of times a song is played. Now, however, Universal (who have refused similar deals with Myspace Music) will receive a fraction of a cent every time you play a Universal track, despite the fact that the uploading, packaging, and promotion of the track was user-based. This kind of scenario is probably why Universal now has its sights on Last.fm.

Despite the Universal-specific concessions, it's an exciting time for Imeem. By winning the Big Four arms race, they've at least proven their business model is more enticing to labels than a subscription based service like Napster. Imeem is 19 million users deep and, according to comScore, growing at 50,000 users per day.

The Universal contract comes just under six months after a decision by the label—the biggest of the Big Four—to "experiment" with DRM-free MP3 licensing alongside BMI. While, on the user side of things, this all feels a bit unsavory (we're honored to have the chance to give you money by promoting your artists for you, Universal) this at least is an indication that the majors are able to think beyond iTunes and lawsuits.