European Independents Agree Terms With ITunes

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European Independents Agree Terms With ITunes

Europe's independent labels have agreed terms with Apple for their repertoire to be made available on iTunes Europe.

Labels had been unwilling to participate because terms initially offered appeared to discriminate against independents. Leading members of AIM asked the association to collectively express their views, and following further discussions between various parties, these negotiations have led to the signing of the first contracts. Terms have now been offered by iTunes that address the independents' concerns fully.

The contract stipulates confidentiality, however independents are comfortable that the agreed framework deal now represents terms on a par with those agreed by the majors.

AIM and IMPALA exist to promote and protect the independent sector, and the successful resolution between Apple and the independents is another example of the benefits of a single voice for the sector.

Labels including the Beggars Group stable, XL Recordings and Sanctuary Records Group have so far signed deals and there is a standard independent template contract that is now available for UK and European Indies directly from iTunes. Several hundred labels across Europe are expected to sign the agreement in the near future, bringing many of the world's most exciting acts to the service.

Alison Wenham, Chairman and CEO of AIM and Vice-President IMPALA said "Following renewed discussions, our members have now been able to agree terms for the licensing of their repertoire to iTunes European service. The industry's future is wedded to the success of iTunes and similar services and it's great news for fans and industry alike that music from some of Europe's leading acts will soon be available on this service."

Said Martin Mills, Beggars Group Chairman and AIM/IMPALA board member said ' I am delighted that we are now able to be part of this great service. In the USA iTunes represents up to5% of certain of our album sales already, and key tracks are selling in quantities that simply were inconceivable before. We look forward to participating in the rapid growth of this market, both with iTunes and with other services with whom we're already in business or will be launching shortly'

Independent repertoire will start to appear on the service in the very near future; exact timings will vary from label to label.

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