Spotify news

Spotify’s conduct proves US compulsory licence isn’t working, says NMPA boss

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National Music Publishers Association • 6 min read

Spotify’s conduct proves US compulsory licence isn’t working, says NMPA boss

Earlier this week the US National Music Publishers Association said that publishers should be allowed to opt out of the compulsory licence relied upon by streaming services. Yesterday its CEO said that change is required because Spotify’s conduct has proven the current system isn’t working…

Chris Cooke • 23 May 2024

NPMA's Judiciary Committee letter in full

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NMPA • 4 min read

NPMA's Judiciary Committee letter in full

The NMPA has provided CMU with a copy of the letter that it sent to members of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees relating to legislative changes it says are needed to resolve the Spotify audiobooks bundle dispute…

CMU • 21 May 2024

US publishers plan “legislative proposals” in response to Spotify audiobooks bundling bust up

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National Music Publishers Association • 4 min read

US publishers plan “legislative proposals” in response to Spotify audiobooks bundling bust up

As the bust-up between the music publishers and Spotify over the streaming service’s audiobook bundling continues, the National Music Publishers Association has said it will propose legislative reform to “permanently fix the power imbalance” songwriters face because of a compulsory licence in the US…

Chris Cooke • 21 May 2024

Sony Music Publishing is "considering all options" in the Spotify audiobook bundling dispute

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Spotify • 2 min read

Sony Music Publishing is "considering all options" in the Spotify audiobook bundling dispute

Sony Music Publishing CEO Jon Platt has updated the company’s songwriters on the dispute between the US music publishing sector and Spotify over the streaming service’s decision to reclassify its main subscription product as a bundle in order to reduce its payments to writers and publishers…

Chris Cooke • 20 May 2024

Setlist Podcast: Music publishers go to war with Spotify

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Setlist • 4 min read

Setlist Podcast: Music publishers go to war with Spotify

The dispute over Spotify's audiobook bundle goes legal, media companies hit out at BBC's podcast adverts plan…

Andy Malt & Chris Cooke • 17 May 2024

The MLC is suing Spotify over audiobook bundling

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Spotify • 4 min read

The MLC is suing Spotify over audiobook bundling

The audiobooks bundling dispute between the US music industry and Spotify has gone legal. This is about how the streaming service is classifying its main premium subscription product - which now includes audiobooks - as a bundle, which lets it reduce royalty payments to publishers and songwriters…

Chris Cooke • 17 May 2024

Publishers accuse Spotify of licensing gaps in letter the streaming service has dubbed a “misleading press stunt”

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Spotify • 3 min read

Publishers accuse Spotify of licensing gaps in letter the streaming service has dubbed a “misleading press stunt”

The music publishers in the US have sent a letter to Spotify accusing the streaming service of having gaps in its licences in relation to lyrics, videos and podcasts. But Spotify says it’s just a “misleading press stunt” as part of the building beef over audiobooks…

Chris Cooke • 16 May 2024

US music publishers ramp up the rhetoric against Spotify's royalty reducing bundling trick

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Spotify • 3 min read

US music publishers ramp up the rhetoric against Spotify's royalty reducing bundling trick

US music publishers are ready to “fight again” as they attempt to halt efforts by Spotify to reclassify its subscription package. The streaming service wants to say that its main subscription product is a ‘bundle’ of music, podcasts and audiobooks. This would allow it to pay less to songwriters…

Chris Cooke • 14 May 2024

Music services hit out at Apple’s plan to comply with EU in-app linking decision, call on European Commission to act

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Apple • 3 min read

Music services hit out at Apple’s plan to comply with EU in-app linking decision, call on European Commission to act

Apple is having to change its anti-steering provision, which previously stopped app developers from sign-posting alternative payment options, in both the EU and US. But the way it is making that change has been criticised, both in a letter to the European Commission and a court hearing in California…

Chris Cooke • 09 May 2024

Spotify says Apple “defying” European law as its updated app is knocked back

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Spotify • 2 min read

Spotify says Apple “defying” European law as its updated app is knocked back

Spotify is still trying to update its iOS app in the EU to take advantage of the recent regulator ruling in relation to Apple’s App Store rules. But Apple won’t approve the updates until Spotify agrees to new terms, including a new commission fee. That “defies” European law, says Spotify…

Chris Cooke • 26 Apr 2024

Indie publishers hit out at Spotify’s bundling trick to lower songwriter payments

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Spotify • 2 min read

Indie publishers hit out at Spotify’s bundling trick to lower songwriter payments

It recently emerged that Spotify was reclassifying its main premium subscription product as a bundle, because of the audiobooks, which means it can pay a lower song royalty rate under the compulsory licence in the US. A group of independent music publishers has now criticised that move…

Chris Cooke • 26 Apr 2024

“Value, value, value!” is the mantra at Spotify as Ek downplays the negatives

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Spotify • 4 min read

“Value, value, value!” is the mantra at Spotify as Ek downplays the negatives

Daniel Ek fixed a grin to his face and smiled hard as he ran us all through the company’s somewhat lacklustre numbers for Q1. Firing 1700 people helped the company show a €168 million profit, but no one - least of all Ek - seemed to anticipate the chaos shedding that many people could cause…

Sam Taylor • 24 Apr 2024