Get the latest gossip
Music Publishers Begin ‘Extensive’ Spotify Podcast Takedowns Over Licensing Violations
The National Music Publishers’ Assn. has launched takedowns against Spotify for the unlicensed use of music in podcasts.
The move follows the trade group’s 2024 legal action against Spotify over its controversial audiobooks-music “bundling” deal, which significantly lowered the royalties paid out to music rights holders. Last May, NMPA sent a cease-and-desist letter to the platform, stating that “Spotify thus appears to be engaged in direct infringement by hosting unlicensed musical works in its lyrics, videos, and podcasts…” The letter demanded that “unlicensed lyrics, music videos, and podcasts be removed from the platform or Spotify will face copyright liability for continued use of these works.” Last June, NMPA filed a legal complaint against Spotify over its music-audiobooks “bundling” deal, which meant a lower mechanical royalty for songwriters.
Or read this on Variety