Get the latest gossip

Publishers Send Cease-and-Desist to Spotify over Unlicensed Content

The NMPA sent Spotify a demand letter Wednesday calling for them to cease use of unlicensed musical works through lyrics, music videos and podcasts.

The letter comes as tensions rise between Spotify and the NMPA over reduced royalty payouts tied to the streaming service's music and audiobooks bundle “NMPA demands that unlicensed lyrics, music videos, and podcasts be removed from the platform or Spotify will face copyright liability for continued use of these works,” the group said in its letter on Wednesday. In addition to Spotify’s improper use of the ‘bundle’ definition to lower its payments to songwriters and publishers, the platform appears to be rife with unlicensed musical works,” NMPA CEO David Israelite said in a statement.

Get the Android app