It's not just Radiohead - any artist can let their fans make the choice

Karmafan.com is a website that enables artists to receive voluntary
payments from their fans, and lets fans directly support the artists
they like.

It's easy for artists to distribute their work online. Some artists
have found that it's even easier to let their fans do the
distribution. But there's no simple way - which doesn't depend on
purchasing a product - for artists to collect money from fans, or for
fans to support the future work of artists. Karmafan creates a direct
connection between artists and fans which is based on pure enjoyment
of the work of the artist.

Karmafan offers artists a way to receive voluntary support through a
wide range of payment gateways worldwide - including SMS, credit
cards, and PayPal.

All an artist needs to start accepting contributions is a website -
such as a MySpace page, blog or any other site they use to promote
their work. Karmafan does not get involved in distribution so the
artist can distribute in whatever way they prefer. Fans can support
the artist without leaving their site by using the Karmafan widget, or
the artist can simply use their Karmafan profile page to collect
patronage.

If fans want to give to a number of artists using Karmafan - or if
they want to give very small amounts - they can top up their Karmafan
account. Using a prepaid system means that the usual fee associated
with payment gateways such as mobile phones is paid only once is
spread among many artists. So a fan can give as little or as much as
they like.

Example:
1. A fan tops up with $10 and the payment gateway deducts $1.
2. The fan will still see $10 in their account and can distribute this
in any way they like. The $1 will be deducted in small amounts each
time the fan gives to an artist.
3. If they give $4 to Band A, 40 cents is deducted and the remaining
$3.60 is passed on to the artist.
4. $5 to Musician B means 50 cents is deducted.
5. If they give $1 to Blogger C it leaves just 10 cents to be deducted.
6. This makes it possible for even just 1 cent to be given, leaving it
completely up to the fan to decide how much to give.

Karmafan does not take a percentage of the money given to artists by
their fans. The principle of voluntary payments applies to Karmafan
just as much as to the artists: if an artist believes that Karmafan
has helped them, then they can "give something back".

Karmafan is not only about collecting money from fans on behalf of
artists. There is also a community element which helps artists reach
more people. Fans can invite artists to join and start supporting them
immediately, or invite their friends to support an artist they
recommend. Fans can also embed a badge on their personal site or in
forum posts to show who they have recently supported. This badge is
automatically updated every time they support an artist.

Karmafan Ltd was founded by David Barton and Kulpreet Singh in Dublin,
Ireland. Both David and Kulpreet have believed for some time that it
is possible for artists to rely on the good will and appreciation of
their fans. The Internet allows a close relationship to develop
between artists and fans which makes it easier for fans to feel that
their support is both appreciated and essential.

Key facts:

- Karmafan allows musicians and other artists to receive voluntary
  payments from their fans

- Fans get to show who they have supported and can pass on
  recommendations to their friends or invite artists they would like
  to support

- Artists gain access to a wide range of payment gateways that fans
  can use to support them

- SMS, credit cards and PayPal are among the many ways that fans can
  top up their accounts or send money

- All an artist needs is a MySpace page, blog or any other website
  where they promote or distribute their work

- Karmafan was released in September 2007 after over a year of
  development

- Karmafan is free to use

Contact details:
David Barton
+353 (0)87 244 1517
Kulpreet Singh
+353 (0)86 367 6286

E-mail: info@karmafan.com
Logos are available at: http://karmafan.com/site/press

Karmafan Limited
12 Butlers Court,
Sir John Rogersons Quay,
Dublin 2,
Ireland