Spotify, Merlin Reach Global Indie Label Licensing Deal

Just a week after Spotify announced a new multi-year licensing deal with Universal Music, the music streamer has cut a similar deal with Merlin on behalf of thousands of independent labels globally.

Indie music has been a huge part of our success since day one & I am super happy to say we have a new, multi-year deal w/ @merlinnetwork ????

— Daniel Ek (@eldsjal) April 20, 2017

Spotify and Merlin, a global digital rights agency for independent labels, today announced a new multi-year license agreement.While details of the deal were not released, Merlin member labels will be able to participate in the flexible windowed release policy that Spotify announced alongside a new deal with Universal Music last week. The agreement is also said to be "structured to reflect and promote the value of Merlin’s collective offering of its members’ repertoire, while offering improved marketing and advertising opportunities and enhanced access to data.Merlin is Spotify's 4th largest partner, offering a single global license to thousands of independent record labels and distributors from more than 50 countries, including Beggars Group, Domino, Entertainment One, Epitaph/Anti, Hopeless Records, Kobalt, Mad Decent, Naxos, [PIAS], Secretly Group, Sub Pop and Warp."Merlin was a launch partner to Spotify back in 2008, and our partnership has thrived ever since," Charles Caldas, CEO, Merlin said. "This new agreement lays the path to future sustainable growth for us both, and we look forward to remaining an integral part in the service's continued success.”