Spotify and Merlin strike new multi-year licensing agreement for indies

Spotify and Merlin have agreed to a new multi-year global license agreement for independent record labels.

Merlin is the global digital rights agency for the world’s independent label sector. This new deal -- continuing what has been a successful nine year partnership forged at the launch of Spotify in 2008 -- means good news for thousands of indie labels and distributors from around the world, as well as for Spotify users, with a single global license covering the likes of Beggars Group, Domino, Epitaph, Kobalt, Sub Pop, Mad Decent and numerous other important independents.

According to a press release, the new deal is "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."

Charles Caldas, CEO of Merlin is pleased by the new agreement, stating: "Merlin was a launch partner to Spotify back in 2008, and our partnership has thrived ever since. 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.”