BRITAIN’s independent music companies have taken a significant step towards making music available on “podcasts”, the fast-growing internet broadcasting phenomenon.

Podcasting allows listeners to subscribe to radio shows, which are automatically downloaded to their computers or digital-music players such as the iPod. These podcasts can then be listened to at any time.

The cheap technology has allowed tens of thousands of amateur DJs to podcast their views on every subject under the sun. Conventional broadcasters, as well as newspapers and other media companies, have been quick to see the time-shifting convenience of the technology.

However, the potential popularity of podcasts among listeners has been hampered by copyright issues that make it illegal to play music by signed artists. Most podcasts are principally talk shows, while broadcasters such as the BBC and Virgin strip music out of the programmes they offer as podcasts.

The Association of Independent Music has developed a trial licence that will enable podcasters to play music by professional artists without fear of prosecution. This is the first step needed to turn podcasting into a commercial medium.

Simon Wheeler, director of digital at Beggars Group, one of the largest independent labels, said: “Podcasting is turning into a phenomenon of explosive growth. Everyone’s talking about it, everyone’s interested in it, everyone wants to get involved — but there’s no structure or framework to use any recorded music.”

Podcasters who pay a licence fee will be able to play any of the songs put up for podcasting. Wheeler said Beggar would not initially offer its back catalogue from bands such as The Darkness, The Fall and The Cult.

“It’s got to be about promoting music,” he said. “It’s got to be current, about what’s happening now. This is really aimed at the guy in the bedroom — what they’re turning people on to, the latest, greatest band.”

“Bedroom” podcasters will have to pay a few hundred pounds for a six month licence to the music available under AIM’s podcast scheme. Commercial broadcasters will pay substantially more, depending on the size of their business.

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