MySpace Music Accused Of 'Disowning' Independent Labels

MySpace Music, which allows users to stream songs by a host of big names musicians, has been accused of disowning independent record labels.

The service launched on Wednesday with the backing of the world's four major record labels - Sony BMG, Universal, Warner and EMI – but only one independent label had signed up in time.

Martin Mills, chairman of Beggars Group, the UK's largest independent label base,expressed his frustration at the lack of independent involvement.

"It is both disappointing and astonishing that MySpace, built on the music of independent artists and labels, should, now it has the majors as partners, choose to launch without those that have been at its heart, and whilst treating independents as second class-citizens," he told the Guardian.

MySpace hopes the service, which is currently restricted to the US, will make a dent in Apple's dominance of the digital download market.

All songs purchased by users will be DRM-Free, making them compatible with a wide range of MP3 playing devices.

Over recent years, the social networking website has become famous for helping to launch the careers of a number of acts, including Lily Allen and Hadouken!