Magnatune

Magnatune is an independent record label founded in 2003 by John Buckman. It operates on a philosophy of ethical music licensing and fair artist compensation. A key differentiating factor of Magnatune is its approach to copyright. All of Magnatune's music is licensed under non-commercial Creative Commons licenses, allowing for free use in non-commercial contexts like personal websites, podcasts, and student films, while also offering commercial licenses for use in films, games, and other commercial projects. The label emphasizes transparency in its dealings with artists, offering a 50/50 revenue split on licensing fees, which is significantly higher than the industry standard offered by major labels. Magnatune’s catalog spans a diverse range of genres, including classical, electronic, world, rock, and ambient music, providing a variety of options for content creators seeking legally and ethically sourced music. Magnatune distinguishes itself by offering full-length albums for streaming and download, prioritizing artist exposure over short-form snippets or ringtones.