Independent artists repped by Merlin, including Tom Waits, Bjork, sign deal with MySpace Music
Associated Press
11/23/09 8:45 PM EST
LOS ANGELES — Independent label artists Bjork and Tom Waits are coming to MySpace Music.
The joint venture between the News Corp. social networking site and major recording companies said Monday it signed a deal with London-based Merlin, a music rights licensing agency that represents more than 12,000 independent labels.
Several indie label groups had complained that the music streaming service launched in September 2008 without their participation.
Merlin nominees will now get to participate at certain MySpace Music board meetings. Artists represented by the group will also be paid royalties and be able to promote their content while getting enhanced usage data.
Merlin counts labels Beggars Group, Epitaph and Tommy Boy among its members and says it represents 10 percent of all global music.
