By Reuters
Merlin, was launched at the annual MidemNet music industry conference to launch an agency to secure licensing deals with emerging media such as MySpace and YouTube.
The launch follows the rapid growth in popularity of sites like YouTube, where fans post video clips carrying their choice of music without permission from copyright holders.
The independent record label sector makes up for 30 percent of the music sold worldwide, with the rest from the four majors--Vivendi's Universal Music, Sony BMG, EMI Group and Warner Music.
"The form of copyright apartheid currently being applied to the value of independent rights is unacceptable," said Merlin Chief Executive Charles Caldas.
"Merlin will enable independents around the world to participate in new licensing and revenue models on competitive terms."
As well as copyright issues, music labels are trying to cope with music piracy and competition for consumer spending. Global music sales are expected to be down around three percent for 2006.
