Hours after CBS-owned Last.fm Ltd.
said it would begin paying royalties to unsigned artists through its newly-launched
Artist Royalty Program, independent music rights negotiator Merlin has issued a bulletin to its members noting that the program "does not appear to offer any compensation for any past illegal use" of independent artists' songs.
Merlin, the so-called "
fifth major" established last year to negotiate for licensing payments on behalf of more than 12,000 labels which in aggregate have roughly as much market share as the smallest major label, EMI Group plc, said its prior negotiations with Last.fm for a blanket license and settlement agreement had
stalled. Merlin further advised its members to seek independent legal advice concerning any terms of Last.fm's program that "appear ambiguous and open to legal interpretation."
CBS and Last.fm are planning to issue a response. Watch this space for updates.
-- Paul BonanosSee earlier blog post concerning Last.fm's Artist Royalty ProgramFor more, see
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