Music-distribution and payments platform Stem has forged a partnership with asset- and catalog-management company OpenPlay to offer users seamless delivery of music, video and metadata assets to DSPs without having to negotiate their own licensing deals.

This will be made possible through OpenPlay's Direct Delivery system, which was launched last year in hopes of breaking down proprietary-data barriers with DSPs. OpenPlay users will now be able to use Stem's existing licenses to streamline the process, and Stem will manage statements and payments for a single-digit rate of net royalties. OpenPlay will refund a portion of that fee to labels generating sufficient revenue, thus reducing their subscription premiums.

Further, qualifying OpenPlay clients will have access to Stem's marketing, promotion and processing services.

“Using Stem’s DSP licenses, OpenPlay clients can send their music and video directly to DSPs from within the very system they already use to organize their metadata and assets, saving money while receiving top-quality statement and payment processing," said OpenPlay Chief Operating and Growth Officer Jonathan Bender.

Said Stem President Kristin Graziani of OpenPlay, "They've done all the hard work of generating DDEX files that deliver to every DSP, so we can offer favorable rates to their clients, saving artists and labels money that can be reinvested in marketing their artists and running their business."