The wait for Spiral Frog's major label-sanctioned, ad-supported P2P service could drag on a bit longer. On Saturday I linked to a report that said CEO Robert Kent was fired. Yesterday the story hit the Internet, with more information. Reports say six members of the company's executive team and three directors have left.

The Times reported that Spiral Frog's main backers, London-based VC firms, drafted a resolution calling for Kent to be reinstated.

Yesterday, a major label exec told Digital Music News, "SpiralFrog looks dead." Another pointed to "specific model flaws."

SpiralFrog originally intended to launch in December 2006 and had reportedly hoped to have launched by the end of this month. Other than the occasional press release, not as much as a whiff of marketing has been seen from the New York-based company since its licensing deal with Universal Music Group was announced in August 2006..

Even though I applaud companies that try new business models -- and manage to secure the proper licensing deals -- and even though I'm eager to take Spiral Frong for a test drive, the recent boardroom chaos isn't as threatening to the company as the public's lack of interest in its entire product category.

The new generation of music sites -- which also involves Qtrax and Mashboxx -- is very disappointing at this stage. We're six months past MGM Studios, Inc. v. Grokster and no closer to a compelling quasi-P2P service. At least Qtrax has on its side Ted Cohen, the former EMI exec who is lobbying the majors to test a DRM-free trial period at the P2P service.