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SnoCap, MySpace and a new force in the music industry are working together to launch an initiative that would let music artists sell downloadable MP3s directly from MySpace.

SnoCap, founded by Napster creator Shawn Fanning, will use its MyStore technology to allow artists to sell downloadable music directly from MySpace, Reuters reports. The first MySpace client using the MyStore technology will be the newly formed Merlin, which represents the independent music sector.

Merlin was just launched at the annual MidemNet music industry conference and is billing itself as the "fifth major" in the music industry. It is working to secure outlets, such as MySpace and YouTube, via which independent artists can sell their music.

In Merlin's deal with MySpace, all songs will be sold as downloadable MP3s, which can be played on all major MP3s music players, including iPods. All artists who are members of Merlin will be able to sell their music through MySpace.