The Association of Independent Music has agreed to sell six-month worldwide licence deals for its members' music to be used on downloaded radio programmes, or podcasts.
The agreement could see music from the likes of Franz Ferdinand, The Prodigy, Bloc Party, Stereophonics, The White Stripes, The Strokes, Basement Jaxx and Paul Weller becoming available, as all are signed to independent labels.
Podcasters will buy licences to access a fixed list of a label's music. Commercial broadcasters will pay an additional percentage of their revenue.
So far podcasters have struggled for suitable music content due to copyright protection.
Mark Mulligan, research director at JupiterResearch, said: "This is all part of the strategy of the independents to be more flexible because they do not generally have the marketing and distribution muscle of the major labels. But don't expect the majors to follow suit anytime soon.
"There were rumours that the independent labels looked at the idea of distribution on file-sharing networks a few years ago, so it is clear that they are always looking at electronic distribution and see more of an opportunity than a risk compared to the major labels."
The Association of Independent Music confirmed that podcasters will be able to take out a temporary podcast licence and be able to work "without the fear of operating illegally".
Restrictions will be placed on licensees with regard to the amount and manner of use of the agreed music.
The full list of music on offer will be made available on the Association's website as the labels sign up.
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