Spotify and Merlin sign new licensing deal

Earlier this month, Universal signed a long-awaited new global licensing deal with Spotify. Now, it’s the turn of the indies.

Merlin has confirmed that it has inked a new, multi-year license agreement with Daniel Ek’s platform. And, like UMG, its members have won the right to ‘window’ album releases on premium-only.

Merlin members include Beggars Group, Domino, Entertainment One, Epitaph/Anti, Hopeless Records, Kobalt Music Recordings, Mad Decent, [PIAS], Secretly Group, Sub Pop and Warp.

The new agreement is said to have been “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”.

Spotify CEO Daniel EK tweeted: “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 [with Merlin].”

Charles Caldas, CEO, Merlin said: “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.”

Martin Mills, Chairman, Merlin and boss of Beggars Group – whose artists include Adele and Radiohead  – added: “I’m delighted that Merlin has reached this new agreement with Spotify.

“We’ve been great partners for each other, and this updated arrangement allows independents in the Merlin community the comfort of knowing they have a highly competitive deal and parity of access to the service, whilst creating a commercial environment in which Spotify can grow to the benefit of all of us.”