Brussels, 13 October 2026

Indie Music Rights (IMR), a music company acquiring, managing and activating music rights catalogues, has joined the Friend of IMPALA business affiliate programme starting with an initial two-year deal.

IMR works with independent rights owners to manage and develop their catalogues, with a focus on co-ownership, clarity and long-term value. The company is an alternative to traditional buyers of music rights, working closely with rights owners to strengthen what they have built and help their music continue to grow over time. Through their partnership, IMR wants to build closer links with IMPALA’s network and members across Europe, sharing its experience around music rights, catalogue management and valuation. 

Paul Sigvaldsen, CCO Chief Commercial Officer & Partner) of Indie Music Rights: (Chief Commercial Officer & Partner) said: “Independence is at the heart of what we do at IMR. We want independent rightsowners to have more choice when looking at the future of their catalogues, and to have a partner who understands the value of what they have built. Our two-year commitment to Friends of IMPALA reflects that we want to build a real relationship with the independent community in Europe. We look forward to getting to know IMPALA’s members, exchanging experiences and finding ways to work together.”

Helen Smith, Executive Chair of IMPALA said: “We are very pleased to welcome Indie Music Rights as Friend of IMPALA. Having different options available to independent rightsowners is important, particularly when it comes to the future of their catalogues. IMR brings valuable experience in this area, as well as an interesting model based on co-ownership and working with rights owners over the longer term. We look forward to working with Paal and the team in exploring these topics with our members.”

About Indie Music Rights
IMR (Indie Music Rights) is a modern music company dedicated to acquiring, preserving and activating independent music rights from around the world. IMR acquires, manages and activates independent music catalogues, focusing on long-term performance in addition to short-term optimisation. The company combines experienced judgment with technical precision, structuring metadata, improving rights claims, reducing unnecessary costs and ensuring catalogues are positioned to reach their full potential. They build their community based on a lean, expert team working closely with rights owners and other stakeholders at every stage. IMR is built for those who value independence, clarity and long-term stewardship, and who are looking for a partner that strengthens what they have created. Through their model music gains longevity – creatively, culturally and financially. IMR is the alternative to traditional buyers of music rights.

IMPALA was established in 2000 and now represents over 6000 independent music companies in Europe. 99% of Europe’s music companies are small, micro and medium businesses and self-releasing artists. Known as the independents, they are world leaders in terms of innovation and discovering new music and artists – they produce more than 80% of all new releases and account for 80% of the sector’s jobs. IMPALA’s mission is to grow the independent music sector sustainably, return more value to artists, promote diversity and entrepreneurship, improve political access, inspire change, and increase access to finance. IMPALA works on a range of key issues for its members and started a new co-funded work programme as an EU cultural network in 2025. IMPALA runs various award schemes and has a programme aimed at businesses who want to develop a strategic relationship with the European independent sector – Friends of IMPALA