According to Spotify, Apple unfairly stifles creativity and innovation. But, with the streaming music giant’s refusal to accept a royalty increase for songwriters, isn’t Daniel Ek’s company basically doing the same thing? In the United States, Spotify…
Author archives: Daniel Sanchez
YouTube Music Launches in the Already-Saturated Indian Music Market
Will YouTube Music find success in India? Several weeks ago, amidst its major legal spat with Warner Music Group, Spotify finally launched in India. Then, less than a week later, the streaming music giant confirmed it had signed up 1 million paid and f…
LMFAO Reaches Full Settlement over ‘Party Rock Anthem’
Following a lengthy discussion, and to avoid a jury trial over ‘Hustlin,’ LMFAO has chosen to settle out-of-court. According to Rick Ross, LMFAO stole his 2006 song, ‘Hustlin.’ Back in 2013, he sued the rap duo over their song, ‘Party Rock Anthem.’ Ro…
Dutch Messaging Startup ‘I Am Pop’ Scores $2.3 Million in Funding
With the new funding, I Am Pop hopes to help indie and up-and-coming artists break into the mainstream through direct messaging tools. I Am Pop has confirmed a major milestone. The Dutch direct messaging startup has raised €2 million ($2.3 million) in …
TIDAL Unveils MQA Streaming for Hi-Fi Subscribers on iOS
With MQA now available for TIDAL Hi-Fi subscribers on iOS, will more people sign-up for Jay-Z’s beleaguered streaming music service? Several years ago, Jay-Z’s streaming music service, TIDAL, promised supra-CD streaming quality. The company then quiet…
Spotify Premium Now Bundles Hulu Subscriptions for Free in the US
Will Spotify’s new Hulu bundle help the streaming music giant increase its subscriber base in the US? Two years ago, in an effort to catch-up to Amazon and Netflix, Spotify introduced a new bundle. For just $4.99 a month, university students who signed…
As PledgeMusic Continues to Implode, Co-Founder Benji Rogers Mysterious ‘Steps Down’ from Another Company He Co-Founded
PledgeMusic continues inching toward its ultimate demise. But, once it shuts down for good, will executives like Benji Rogers take the remaining cash and simply run? So, when will PledgeMusic finally pay the money it owes artists and fans? Probably ne…
Following Spotify’s Samsung Deal, YouTube Offers 4 Months of Premium for New Galaxy Users
Like Spotify, YouTube Music has also managed to partner with Samsung. Last Friday, Spotify confirmed a major expansion under its strategic alliance with Samsung. The streaming music giant’s app would now be bundled into millions of Samsung’s new device…
Spotify, Amazon, Google, Pandora Face Extreme Backlash Over Songwriter Royalties — But Do They Care?
Spotify sued the CRB to avoid paying more to songwriters. Now, the songwriter community has risen up and has urged people to switch to Apple Music. Maybe not what the streaming music giant had in mind. Early last month, the US Copyright Board (CRB) o…
Ahead of Crucial Vote, Over 200 Organizations Sign Open Letter in Support of the Copyright Directive
Major creative organizations have banded together in support of the Copyright Directive and Article 13. After seemingly hitting a brick wall several months ago, the Copyright Directive – which includes the controversial Article 13 measure – cleared ano…