Under the deal, more than 20,000 independent labels and distributors represented by Merlin’s 600 members will earn royalties from the service when their music is streamed.
The agreement also guarantees parity with the world’s three major record labels, which have already signed royalty deals with the platform.
Charles Caldas, Merlin chief executive, said: ‘As a result of our deal, not only do the users of Beats Music have access to an extraordinary range of music from the world’s best independent labels and artists, but the labels we represent have an opportunity to benefit from the success of the service on a truly equal footing to our major label competitors.’
The indie sector is currently the fastest growing in today's music business, representing a breadth of diverse artists from around the world.
The sector also supports an increasing number of commercial chart acts, with half of this year’s GRAMMY nominations going to acts on indie labels.
Beats Music launched on 21 January.
The agreement also guarantees parity with the world’s three major record labels, which have already signed royalty deals with the platform.
Charles Caldas, Merlin chief executive, said: ‘As a result of our deal, not only do the users of Beats Music have access to an extraordinary range of music from the world’s best independent labels and artists, but the labels we represent have an opportunity to benefit from the success of the service on a truly equal footing to our major label competitors.’
The indie sector is currently the fastest growing in today's music business, representing a breadth of diverse artists from around the world.
The sector also supports an increasing number of commercial chart acts, with half of this year’s GRAMMY nominations going to acts on indie labels.
Beats Music launched on 21 January.
