Merlin Cuts Global Deal With YouTube For Top Indies

After a lengthy negotiation, independent label global rights agency Merlin has agreed to a global licensing deal with YouTube. The deal, effective immediately, includes such top indie labels as Earache, Secretly Canadian, Ninja Tune, Cooking Vinyl, Warp, Phonofile, Pschent, Morr Music, !K7 and Inertia.

Merlin represents some of the world's top independent labels, with a global membership including over 14,000 independents. Since launching in May 2008 Merlin has struck deals with Rdio, Spotify, MySpace Music, Catch Media, Simfy and Sony's Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity.

Chris Maxcy, Head of Global Music Partnerships at YouTube, commented, "We're continually looking for new ways to connect independent artists with their fans and we're thrilled to have struck a deal with Merlin that will help us do just that, while compensating them for their efforts at the same time."