In this, the first posting in a series called 10 of the Best, iCommons is taking a look at creators who are using open licensing and content to spread and encourage creativity.

This week, we decided to look at netlabels all over the world. We specifically decided not to look at remixing sites, which we think, are different creatures, with different goals. Besides, we're saving the remixing sites for another article.

Some stuff, of course, is freer than other stuff. Different labels use open content differently, so you may come across licences that allow free access and usage of content, other sites use slightly more restrictive Attribution-Non-Commercial-No-Derivatives licences, which prevent remixing.

Canada
Panospria
Originally a collective of experimental musicians, founded in 2004, Panospria now features works by designers, video, lighting and audio-visual artists as well as musicians. All content is licenced using a CC BY-NC-ND licence. In English.

England
Hippocamp
Based in Manchester, and running since 2000, hippocamp puts out compilations, singles and albums by various artists. The work on this site also uses a CC BY-NC-ND licence. In English.

France
Zeste.net
A netlabel dedicated to the distribution and promotion of electronica in all its forms, Zeste has a varied catalogue of all kinds of music, from electronic folk to dub and hip hop. They also provide biographical information for the artists on the label, and useful links from each album. All music on the site is licenced under a CC BY-NC-SA, so remixing is possible. In French.

Germany/Finland
Thinner
Active since 2001, Thinner is widely held up to be one of the granddaddies of the netlabel world. With a focus mainly on dub infused electronica, Thinner also organize live events all over Europe and the UK. They use a CC BY-NC-ND licence. In English.

Germany
Stadtgruen
Based in Hamburg, Stadtgruen also host events in and around Germany, and has an impressive catalogue of electronica, lounge music and other ambient sounds by artists from Europe, Argentina, and the UK. Work is licenced under a CC BY-NC-SA licence. In English and German.

Germany
1Bit Wonder
Voted one of the top 10 netlabels by de:Bug magazine, 1Bit is a great label, with a very user-friendly site. The catalogue features various musicians from their hometown of Leipzig as well as others, and they're also active in the festivals and gigging scene. Content is licenced with a CC BY-NC-SA licence. In English and German.

Mexico
Discoskonfort
A three-year old project, dedicated to building exchange and understanding between creators and producers of experimental electronic music in Mexico. Most of the works use a CC BY-NC-ND licence. In Spanish.

Portugal
You Are Not Stealing Records
Based in Portugal, with content from the USA, Portugal, Britain and France. Originally started as a way for the band Stealing Orchestra to distribute their EPs and side projects. All downloads come with free covers, so that you can download the full package. CC BY-NC-ND licences. In English.

Spain
Op3n.net
A mixtape net label, Op3n's catalogue features remixed netaudio in 'mixtapes' put together by invited DJs from Italy, Germany, Poland, the UK and Spain. They also run a netlabel e-zine called minifú. All content licenced with a CC BY-NC-SA licence. In Spanish, Catalan and English.

USA
Monotonik
One of the first net labels out there, Monotonik (and its sub-label, Mono211) have been distributing music online since 1996. They've built up a huge catalogue of electronica and break beats from all over the world. Download the 10 Years of Monotonik compilation for a great audio documentary of their sound. All content licenced with a CC BY-NC-ND licence. In English.

We'd like to make this feature a regular on iCommons, so please feel free to make suggestions, and add to the lists. Let us know your top 10 open education sites, or animation sites or free beer recipesâ?¦

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