NMPA Begins an ‘Extensive’ Spotify Podcast Takedown Action Over Alleged Licensing Violations
- Martina
- 11 February 2025, Tuesday
Just hours after Spotify released its first-ever annual net profit report in early February, the National Music Publishers Association (NMPA) launched an “extensive” takedown action against the music streaming giant.
NMPA reports: Over 2,500 detected infringements
In July 2024, NMPA reported it was planning a lawsuit against Spotify over alleged copyright infringement resulting from Spotify's extensive use of unlicensed musical works, including lyrics, in videos and podcasts. Now, more than six months later, NMPA publicly accused Spotify of persistently ignoring widespread music copyright violations on the podcasts it hosts.
In response, the trade association for the American music publishing industry initiated what it describes as the first wave of extensive Spotify takedowns, targeting over 2,500 identified infringements.
The “takedown program” reportedly involves 19 NMPA member publishers, including the publishing arms of the three major record labels: Sony Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, and Warner Chappel Music. Among other prominent publishers are BMG, Kobalt, and Ultra Music Publishing.
In its official statement, NMPA argued the move was to be expected, given that it has “warned [Spotify] of this issue for some time.” Moreover, NMPA alleged that Spotify has been aware of music copyright violations by podcasters “for years” but has done nothing to address the issues.
“Spotify has thousands of unlicensed songs in its podcasts, which it has done nothing to remedy,” said NMPA President and CEO David Israelite.
However, Spotify seems unhesitant to defend itself, asserting that it has sent “multiple written requests” for details following NMPA’s copyright infringement allegations. According to the streaming platform, NMPA “never bothered to answer” these requests. The company further labeled the “takedown action” a “press stunt” and a “weak reaction to the judge dismissing the MLC’s lawsuit” against Spotify’s bundling practices earlier this January.
“Platforms like Spotify, which are home to millions of pieces of UGC content, regularly receive takedown requests, and, as always, we will act promptly and, where appropriate, remove the episodes in question,” a Spotify spokesperson concluded.
Ongoing legal saga between Spotify and music publishers
While NMPA has yet to respond to Spotify’s accusations that the association’s public slander of the streaming platform lacks evidence, early 2025 has already seen two significant turns in an ongoing saga between Spotify and music publishers.
Therefore, it is expected that NMPA, as well as MLC, will not be intimidated by Spotify’s public statements and will persist in their efforts against copyright infringement and unfair compensation of publishers and songwriters.
“Spotify will stop at nothing to undervalue songwriters on behalf of its bottom line. Podcasts are a growing source of revenue for songwriters and publishers, and it is essential that podcasts provide lawfully produced entertainment,” NMPA President Israelite said, urging podcast hosts to advocate for better practices.
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