Cannes, France - The Orchard (NASD: ORCD), a digital distributor of independent music and video content, on Tuesday announced a strategic partnership with Japanese independent music company Avex. Under the deal, Avex will market select Orchard clients across Japanese digital stores and mobile services, including the Label Mobile joint venture in which it is a key shareholder. Separately, The Orchard said it has signed deals to add new classical music tracks to its service from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Wigmore Hall and Classical.com.

New York - The Orchard (NASD: ORCD), a digital distributor of independent music and video content, said on Tuesday that it has signed a deal to provide physical and digital distribution for Vice Music releases in North America. Vice artists include the Raveonettes, Black Lips, Justice and King Khan and the Shrines.

London - European online music store Datz this week announced the launch of a new unlimited download service that provides DRM-free MP3 tracks for an annual fee of about $160. Powered by 24-7 Entertainment, the Datz Music Lounge will feature tracks from major labels Warner Music Group (NYSE: WMG) and EMI, as well as independents including The Orchard and Beggars Group. One stipulation is that users purchase a kit that includes a USB key that must be inserted into a PC to access the service.

New York - The Orchard (NASD: ORCD), a digital distributor of independent music and video content, on Tuesday announced the first label signings to its recently-acquired TVT Distribution physical sales platform. Acrobat Music, Ernest Jenning Record Co. and Wu Music Group have each signed exclusive deals to distribute their forthcoming releases in physical format throughout the U.S. Slated for release are albums from artists including Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck, Wu-Tang Clan and Dalek.

Stockholm, Sweden - Spotify, the Sweden-based developer of an ad-supported digital music service, on Tuesday announced its launch with the signing of licensing deals with all four major record labels, as well as independent labels represented by Merlin and The Orchard.

London - Nokia on Thursday announced that major label EMI and a number of independents have signed deals to add their tracks to its "Comes With Music" service, which provides buyers of new phones with a year's worth of unlimited song downloads.