Complete Music Update: Indie publishers hit out at Spotify’s bundling trick to lower songwriter payments

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Complete Music Update covered the AIMP’s recent statement on Spotify’s new bundling trick and it’s affects on independent publishers.

“Subscribers to the premium service expect Spotify to pay songwriters their fair share of any royalties”, a new statement from the Association Of Independent Music Publishers reads. “Spotify’s decision shows a remarkable lack of appreciation for music rightsholders and the value of music”. 

AIMP goes on, “We are disappointed to learn that Spotify believes it should pay songwriters a lower royalty rate for music streams by unilaterally bundling a service – audiobooks – for existing premium subscribers who were not given an opportunity to ‘opt out’ of the offering. Spotify provided no advanced notification to music creators, rightsholders, or music fans, and provided no clear explanation for its decision”.

– Chris Cooke, Complete Music Update