Spotify Hit With $1 Billion Lawsuit Over Alleged Mass Copyright Violations and Trade Practices
PRO Music Rights and Sosa Entertainment have filed a $1 billion lawsuit against Spotify, alleging mass copyright infringement and deceptive trade practices. The case was filed in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida.
Bryan Simpson US Courthouse entrance
Key allegations in the lawsuit:
- Spotify failed to pay for over 550 million musical streams
- Content was improperly removed from Spotify's platform in May 2017
- No advance notice or explanation was given for the content removal
- No opportunity was provided to address or resolve the issues
- The removal damaged Sosa's relationship with Merlin, which represents independent labels
"Pro Music Rights intends to ask a Florida jury at trial to hold Spotify responsible for its reprehensible conduct of intellectual property infringement and unfair and deceptive trade practices," stated Jake Noch, founder and CEO of Pro Music Rights.
Case Details:
- Case Name: Pro Music Rights LLC et al v. Spotify AB et al.
- Case Number: 2:19-cv-00843
- Court: United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida
- Filing Date: November 25, 2019
Legal Representatives:
- Richard Gora and Sinead Rafferty of Gora LLC
- Vito Roppo of Colosseum Counsel, PLLC
Eminem wearing gray hoodie, close-up
This lawsuit follows another recent billion-dollar case against Spotify by Eminem's publisher Eight Mile Style, which challenges certain provisions of the Music Modernization Act regarding past non-payments and copyright infringements.
Related Articles
Artist Partner Group Files Lawsuit Against Create Music Group Over Artist Poaching and Copyright Violation
