Idolator

Microsoft is apparently sending "substantial one-time bonuses" to independent labels and digital aggregators that deal with those labels as a thank you for letting the Zune use their content in Zune's new music-sharing functionality. The Orchard sent an e-mail to its partners saying that Microsoft "made a corporate decision to demonstrate their commitment to the independent sector in a manner we all appreciate: rather than simple lip service, they wrote a check"; they also said that partners would get a "Zune bonus" derived from this payout. Anyone seeing a bump yet? How much did you get? E-mail us with details—all tips are confidential, of course. [Hypebot]