Netlabels are record labels that distribute their music through digital audio formats
like MP3, Ogg Vorbis, FLAC, or WAV over the Internet. Unlike traditional record labels,
netlabels often focus on free distribution online, frequently under licenses that promote
sharing, such as Creative Commons licenses. Artists typically retain copyright of their
work when releasing through netlabels.
The operation of a netlabel can be much leaner than a traditional label, sometimes run
by just a single individual. They don't usually produce physical copies like LPs,
relying solely on digital distribution, which significantly reduces running costs.
Many netlabels operate more as a hobby rather than a business, and some use guerrilla marketing
strategies to promote their music.
As quick as someone raises a netlabel, as quick it might dissapear, solely because of the
fact that its purpose, whatever that was, has been reached.
Nevertheless, as the music has officially been published, it is out there on the depth of
web as long as the internet remains. This means that the netlabel might not exist anymore,
its website might be offline and their artitss moved on to other spaces, but their music is
still downloable somewhere - forever.
Parts of this list is put together thanks to the netlabels.org, netlabelguide.com, netlabelarchive.org and archive.org projects.