With digital distribution leveling the playing field so much, it would be a shame if artists had to sign to a major label in order to receive their share. MySpace Music is a joint venture between the major labels and News Corp. Without a seat at the table, the indie bands that practically invented the idea of MySpace as a music destination could see money generated from their traffic flow to News Corp., the major labels and major label artists.

"As MySpace courts the major labels, it should remember to offer similar opportunities to the 7 million or so indie bands who helped make it the web's default repository for music," we pointed out last Thursday. "If U2 and Universal get a share of advertising, so should indie bands like Javelin."

In an e-mail apparently sent to its roster of indie artists and labels, digital distributor The Orchard expressed similar concerns. We're working on getting a copy of the full text of that e-mail to post here, but Hypebot posted some relevant snippets:

"...it is unclear whether and how the equity the participating major labels received will be shared by them with their artists, or with the independent labels they simply distribute...To our understanding, independents have not been offered any equity.

"... Digital retail is fairer than physical brick-and-mortar retail ever was.  iTunes ...helped to shift music industry dynamics towards a more level playing field...In that light, if reports are true, the apparent MySpace licensing approach is troubling.  It hearkens back to a time none of us wants to revisit ... Where independent artists and labels were third-class citizens in the global music economy..."