Indie licensing agency Merlin has slammed US streaming music service Rdio, for launching without signing a deal with the company.”It is incredibly disappointing that Rdio have launched their new service across North America without having finalized a deal for the world’s most important independent labels and artists,” says CEO Charles Caldas.”We are surprised that a service, whose success would seem dependent on offering its consumers a comprehensive choice of repertoire, would launch without giving those consumers access to the leading global independent labels we represent, and their artists.”The row mirrors that around the launch of MySpace Music last year. However, Rdio DOES have deals in place with a range of independent digital distributors, including IODA, IRIS, Finetunes, INgrooves and The Orchard.So the argument isn’t over whether it’s marginalising independent labels in general, but Merlin in particular. The company’s members include Rough Trade, Warp Records, Yep Roc/Red Eye, Epitaph, Na
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