Mumbai: Last.fm announced the official launch of its Artist Royalty Program. The program gives unsigned and independent artists the opportunity to accrue royalties from their music direct from Last.fm, every time their tracks are listened to on the site.

The revolutionary service marks the first time that musicians and bands not affiliated with a label or royalty collection agency can collect revenue direct from a free streaming music platform. Unsigned and independent artists can sign up for the program when they upload their music to Last.fm, and earn revenue direct from the Web site when their tracks are played free on demand, or on Last.fm’s streaming radio, or both.

The Artist Royalty Program offers unsigned musicians the same revenue sharing opportunities enjoyed by all the thousands of signed and established artists already using Last.fm. Since providing unsigned artists with the option to join the Artist Royalty Program in January, over 450,000 tracks have been uploaded to Last.fm and offered for free-on-demand streaming.

Last.fm co-founder Martin Stiksel said, "This is a big day for independent artists. We are levelling the playing field by offering them the same opportunities as established bands to make money from their music. The young musician making music in a bedroom studio has the same chance as the latest major label signing to use Last.fm to build an audience and be rewarded. The Artist Royalty Program is another revolutionary step towards helping musicians take control of their music — and, more importantly, make a living from it."