The new global body that aims to represent the digital rights of independent labels around the world, Merlin, has launched its website, which aims to provide indies with a clear statement of the body's aims, structure and operations. The website, at http://www.merlinnetwork.org, will be available in English, French and Spanish at launch, with a German and Portuguese versions due to follow.
Commenting on the importance of the website, Merlin CEO Charles Caldas told reporters yesterday: "The formation of a body than can properly and effectively represent a global constituency has been a complex and challenging enterprise. We have succeeded though, and the launch of our multilingual website, which will be a key tool for our global communications, is another major step towards the imminent commencement of our full operation".
On its website Merlin states is objectives as follows: "Merlin exists because the independents need their own body to ensure their interests are properly represented by an organisation focused wholly on their sector. Independents work in a incredibly competitive environment, ruled by shrinking physical sales, a digital market that is not replacing the fall in revenues, and where independent's ability to compete is being eroded by the major corporations that dominate the market, from both the supply and retail side".
The body says that the website launch precedes an announcement regarding exactly what Merlin will offer labels who appoint it as their global digital rights representatives.