Member Led. Music Focused.

Global Music Licensing

Merlin is the independent’s digital music licensing partner. We've negotiated premium deals with Apple, Facebook, Spotify, TikTok, YouTube, and 40 other innovative platforms around the world. Our global membership represents 15% of the recorded music market, from independent record labels to distributors, and from artist management companies to other rightsholders. We are a mission-driven organization that operates like a not-for-profit and is funded entirely by our members at a 1.5% admin fee. Merlin’s world-class relationships, white-glove support, and suite of partnerships helps independents compete at the highest level.

Member Led, Music Focused

Merlin works collaboratively with our digital partners to drive additional benefits to our members while delivering value back to our digital partners. We are a partner to digital services, a bridge for our members, and a know-how resource across the music industry.

Who We Are

Merlin provides independents the means to own their future. We are a member led, music focused organization. We provide digital music licensing for independents across the globe. Members benefit from Merlin’s premium deals, but work directly with key digital partners, to help them compete at the highest levels. Merlin’s collective approach has enabled our membership to grow to represent 15% of the global market share.

What We Do

After we strike a premium deal, Merlin works collaboratively with our digital partners to drive additional benefits to our members while delivering value back to our digital partners. The benefits to our members include:

Admin fee of 1.5% ››
Free to join and no other fees
Transparency for members into deal terms
Equity and breakage paid out in a fair manner
Participation in deals is voluntary
New members typically see an increase in performance on key digital partners
Tools and incremental opportunities

Our Members

Who can become a member? Any independent label, distributor, or other rights-holder who is:

Ready to diligently manage their Merlin relationship
Controls significant digital rights free from obligation to third parties
Set up with professional digital supply chain to deliver content (e.g., AudioSalad, CI, FUGA, Labelcamp, Revelator)
Resources to manage direct relationships with digital partners, including marketing, analytics and processing raw reports

Learn More

Who We License

We provide a means for independents to own their future. As a member led and music focused organization, we empower independence to help ensure our members can compete at the highest level.