Songwriters / Music Publishers Receive 44% Streaming Rate Increase – Spotify, Google, etc., File Suit

In February of this year, the U.S. Copyright Royalty Board granted songwriters and music publishers a top line 44% increase in revenue sharing (via mechanical royalty rates) with steaming services like Spotify, Pandora, Google, etc.

“The baseline statutory royalty rate for using musical works in interactive streaming will rise 44% by 2022, but the improvements in this determination go beyond just that. Just as importantly, the new royalty rate structure offers more protection against royalty dilution”. ~Benjamin Semel for the National Music Publishers Association

The increase comes as welcome news to everyone in the music industry who have long criticized the CRB for undervaluing music rights.

Perhaps not surprisingly, the major streaming services, with the notable exception of Apple, filed suit to block the increases.

“[Without] songs these tech companies have nothing to stream/sell. Shameful.

“For the first time in 110 years songwriters get an increase in royalties based on how much the music business has changed in that time, and this is how tech companies react. Wow.” ~Justin Tranter on Instagram via Music Business Worldwide

More reaction:

“No amount of insincere and hollow public relations gestures such as throwing parties or buying billboards of congratulations or naming songwriters ‘geniuses’ can hide the fact that these big tech bullies do not respect or value the songwriters who make their businesses possible,” Israelite fumed.” ~ Spotify, Pandora, Amazon, Google Unilaterally Challenge the CRB’s 44% Songwriter Royalty Increase

Consumers and artists need to follow this story closely. Please share with your networks.

Information for this post was gathered from the following sources.

US Copyright Royalty Board confirms 44% increase in streaming royalty on songs
https://completemusicupdate.com/article/us-copyright-royalty-board-confirms-44-increase-in-streaming-royalty-on-songs/

Spotify vs. songwriters: Irving Azoff, Justin Tranter and other leading music biz figures slam streaming company’s royalty rise appeal
https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/spotify-vs-songwriters-irving-azoff-justin-tranter-and-other-leading-music-biz-figures-slam-streaming-companys-royalty-rise-appeal/

Spotify, Pandora, Amazon, Google Unilaterally Challenge the CRB’s 44% Songwriter Royalty Increase
https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2019/03/07/spotify-pandora-amazon-google-songwriter/