Merlin - CMU | the music business explained

Merlin CEO Jeremy Sirota said “independent music is not raw material for tech companies to exploit without consent” before quitting to join AI music scraper-in-chief Suno

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Merlin • 4 min read

Merlin CEO Jeremy Sirota said “independent music is not raw material for tech companies to exploit without consent” before quitting to join AI music scraper-in-chief Suno

No more TED talks, daddy! Ex-Merlin CEO Jeremy Sirota has moved to the dark side and joined one of the very companies he railed against. Having defended Merlin members against the predations of big tech, Sirota has signed up as big cheese of all things commercial at music scraping slop factory Suno…

Sam Taylor • 24 Feb 2026

AI music creation platform Udio signs deal with indie label licensing body Merlin

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Udio • 2 min read

AI music creation platform Udio signs deal with indie label licensing body Merlin

Udio has announced a licensing deal with Merlin, which means many indie labels and distributors will now be able to participate in the relaunch of the AI platform as an industry-endorsed service. Merlin says the deal shows it is “committed to participating in shaping the opportunities AI promises”…

Chris Cooke • 20 Jan 2026

Merlin gears up for legal rumble with bare knuckle fight championship owner Triller over $2.5 million in unpaid fees

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Triller • 3 min read

Merlin gears up for legal rumble with bare knuckle fight championship owner Triller over $2.5 million in unpaid fees

While Triller let many of its music licences lapse a few years ago, indie label digital rights organisation Merlin is still owed $2.5 million from a 2020 licensing deal. The extra payment was due because of a most favoured nation clause in that deal. Merlin has now sued to get its money…

Chris Cooke • 01 Apr 2025

🌅 Horizon Future Leaders - Daniele Yandel

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Horizon Future Leaders • 4 min read

🌅 Horizon Future Leaders - Daniele Yandel

As part of our Horizon Future Leaders series of interviews, we are connecting with the music industry’s next generation of leaders to gather candid advice and insights into their career journeys. This week, we caught up with Daniele Yandel, Senior Manager Of Member Operations at Merlin.…

Horizon Music Jobs • 14 Mar 2025

🌅 Horizon Future Leaders - Quentin Martins Q&A

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Horizon Future Leaders • 4 min read

🌅 Horizon Future Leaders - Quentin Martins Q&A

As part of our Horizon Future Leaders series, we’re connecting with the music industry’s next generation of leaders to gather candid advice and insights into their career journeys. This week we caught up with Quentin Martins, Senior Manager Of Commercial Partnerships at Merlin.…

Horizon Music Jobs • 17 Jan 2025

IMPALA urges TikTok to re-open Merlin negotiations as we reach the direct deal deadline for indies

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TikTok • 3 min read

IMPALA urges TikTok to re-open Merlin negotiations as we reach the direct deal deadline for indies

IMPALA has written an open letter to TikTok over its decision to abandon licensing talks with Merlin and force indie labels and distributors to sign direct deals by today. It urges TikTok to return to the negotiating table with the global indie label digital licensing organisation…

Chris Cooke • 25 Oct 2024

Exclusive: WIN says TikTok's decision to circumvent Merlin "puts independent labels in an impossible place" and "poses risk to cultural diversity"

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TikTok • 5 min read

Exclusive: WIN says TikTok's decision to circumvent Merlin "puts independent labels in an impossible place" and "poses risk to cultural diversity"

TikTok's decision to circumvent independent music licensing organisation Merlin will harm diversity and puts independent music in an impossible place says WIN, calling on TikTok to come back to the negotiating table with Merlin…

Sam Taylor • 14 Oct 2024

Indie community reacts to TikTok circumventing Merlin

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TikTok • 4 min read

Indie community reacts to TikTok circumventing Merlin

Following the news that TikTok has walked away from licensing negotiations with Merlin, various representatives for the indie label community have issued statements. They dismiss TikTok’s claim that it wants direct deals with indies to combat streaming fraud, arguing it’s all about paying less…

Chris Cooke • 03 Oct 2024

TikTok’s stance on direct licensing is “disingenuous” and risks harming the digital supply chain say industry insiders

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TikTok • 5 min read

TikTok’s stance on direct licensing is “disingenuous” and risks harming the digital supply chain say industry insiders

TikTok wants to do direct licensing deals with Merlin members, cutting Merlin out of the equation. It claims this is to help tackle copyright issues but industry sources have told CMU that in fact it could make things worse, not better - and potentially harm the whole digital supply chain…

Sam Taylor • 02 Oct 2024

Merlin's letter to members about TikTok licensing negotiations

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Merlin • 2 min read

Merlin's letter to members about TikTok licensing negotiations

Merlin has written a letter to its members, saying that TikTok "walked away" from licensing negotiations and intends to pursue direct deals with some Merlin members…

CMU • 01 Oct 2024

Merlin Connect hopes to make it easier for emerging technology platforms to use music

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Merlin • 2 min read

Merlin Connect hopes to make it easier for emerging technology platforms to use music

Merlin launches Merlin Connect to make it easier for emerging technology platforms to access music. The digital rights agency says that licensing music for new platforms can be challenging and expensive…

Chris Cooke • 06 Jun 2024

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Canva • 1 min read

Canva launches music library product

Canva yesterday announced that users of the graphic design platform can now easily insert music into their content from a large catalogue of tracks - it follows deals earlier this year with Warner and Merlin…

Chris Cooke • 10 Nov 2023