Spotify sued for copyright infringement

Credit: plus.google.com

Spotify (the Music streaming company) was sued by Wixen Music Publishing Inc last week for allegedly using thousands of songs, including those of Tom Petty, Neil Young, and the Doors, without a license and compensation to the music publisher. Wixen, is an exclusive licensee of songs such as “Free Fallin” by Tom Petty, “Light My Fire” by the Doors, (Girl We Got a) Good Thing by Weezer and works of singers such as Stevie Nicks, is seeking damages worth at least $1.6 billion along with injunctive relief.

Allegations against Spotify include the following;

• Failure to obtain a direct or a compulsory license from Wixen that would permit Spotify to reproduce and distribute the songs.

• Spotify outsourced Wixen’s work to a third party, licensing and royalty services provider the Harry Fox Agency, which was “ill-equipped to obtain all the necessary mechanical licenses”.

Damages Sought- At least $1.6 billion along with injunctive relief.

No comments presently from Spotify who made the news in May for agreeing to pay more than $43 million to settle a proposed class action alleging it failed to pay royalties for some of the songs it makes available to users.

News Source- Reuters