Tag: merlin

Spotify and Merlin Announce Licensing Agreement for Fan-Made Covers and Remixes

August 4, 2026

A Spotify logo on a gradient background

Spotify and Merlin today announced a new licensing agreement for Spotify’s upcoming fan-made covers and remixing tool, which will give listeners a new way to engage with the music they love from participating artists and songwriters. The agreement enables artists on labels under Merlin’s Spotify agreement the option to participate.

As previously announced, Spotify’s tool will launch as a paid add-on, which will create an additional revenue stream for participating artists. 

Charlie Hellman, SVP and Global Head of Music at Spotify, said: “This agreement with Merlin ensures participating artists are credited and compensated, and that every creation drives listeners back to the original work. We’re proud to extend this model to the independent community, and we look forward to welcoming more partners as we continue to build.”

Charlie Lexton, CEO Merlin commented: “Giving our members’ artists the choice to make their music available as part of this exciting technology, while ensuring the opportunity to participate in an additional revenue stream, is exactly what Merlin is here to do. Spotify’s respect for our members’ and their artists’ rights is exemplary, making our decision to work on this project an easy one.”

About Spotify 

Since its launch in 2008, Spotify has revolutionised music listening. Our move into podcasting brought innovation and a new generation of listeners to the medium. In 2022, we took the next leap, entering the fast-growing audiobook market—continuing to shape the future of audio.

Today, more listeners than ever can discover, manage and enjoy over 100 million tracks, 7 million podcast titles, and 700,000 audiobooks on Spotify. We are the world’s most popular audio streaming subscription service with 777 million users, including 300 million subscribers, in 184 markets.

About Merlin

Merlin is the digital music licensing partner for the world’s leading independent labels and distributors. Merlin has negotiated premium deals with Apple, Canva, ElevenLabs, Meta, Spotify, Udio, YouTube, and 40 other innovative platforms around the world. Our global membership is from 70+ countries, representing 15% of the global recorded music market. Merlin operates for the benefit of its members and is funded entirely by our low 1.5% admin fee. Merlin helps the world’s leading independent music companies own their digital business through world-class deals and a range of member benefits. Merlin’s membership includes independents such as: Absolute Label Services, anjunabeats, Amuse, Armada Music, AudioSalad, Better Noise Music, Casete Agricultura Digital, Cinq Music Group, Curb Records, Domino, Epitaph, Exceleration Music, Fluxus, GYROstream, Hopeless Records, IDJDigital, IDOL, Innercat Music, K7, Kontor New Media, Mad Decent, Measurable Accurate Digital Solutions, Mills Records, MNRK, Mushroom Music, Nettwerk, Ninja Tune, Phonographic Digital Limited, Polyvinyl Records, Pony Canyon, Random Sounds, Secretly, Secret City, Sound Republica, Starbase, Stones Throw, Strm, Sub Pop, Symphonic Distribution, Wagram Music, Warp Records, Zebralution, and hundreds more.

Merlin and Spotify Extend Multiyear Global Licensing Partnership

September 30, 2025

Spotify and Merlin, the digital music licensing partner for the world’s leading independents, today announced the renewal of their global, multiyear licensing partnership. This agreement reinforces the vital role of independent music on Spotify and provides Merlin members continued access to a platform that reaches fans worldwide.

This expanded partnership reflects both companies’ commitment to the independent community and its impact on global culture. Over their 17-year collaboration, Spotify and Merlin have partnered to help independent artists and labels succeed across both emerging and established markets. Together, they have played an instrumental role in building and sustaining careers while fueling the global rise of genres such as Afrobeats and Amapiano, reigniting interest in rock, and supporting the continued growth of alternative, electronic, rap, Latin, and many other genres championed by independent labels.

“Merlin’s mission is to empower our members to own their future. Spotify remains a key and forward-looking partner in advancing that mission,” said Jeremy Sirota, CEO, Merlin. “In a rapidly changing industry, this isn’t just about securing terms that value the contributions of our members’ artists; it’s about building frameworks that unleash creativity and ensure our dynamic global membership—which accounts for 15% of the market—can continue to grow, thrive, and lead. Together, we are committed to a future where independent music drives discovery and value for artists and fans.”

“Independent music has always been at the heart of discovery on Spotify, and our partnership with Merlin makes that possible at a global scale,” said Alex Norström, Co-President and Chief Business Officer at Spotify. “This renewal reflects our commitment to ensuring independent labels and artists continue to thrive on streaming platforms, while we work together to grow the value of music for creators everywhere.”

As Spotify evolves, this agreement ensures that Merlin’s independent membership stands ready to shape the future of streaming as a key partner, helping to build a sustainable, artist-centered ecosystem for the next generation of independent artists, labels, and distributors.