Artist Partner Group Files Lawsuit Against Create Music Group Over Artist Poaching and Copyright Infringement
Artist Partner Group (APG) has filed a lawsuit against Create Music Group, alleging copyright violations through artist poaching and unauthorized song uploads to YouTube.
The lawsuit claims Create Music Group has committed multiple copyright infringements by:
- Uploading APG artists' songs to streaming services without permission
- Collecting royalties without authorization
- Approaching APG-signed artists with YouTube monetization deals that violate existing contracts
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According to the filing, Create allegedly misled artists by claiming APG was "doing a bad job exploiting their works and leaving money on the table," damaging APG's reputation in the process.
Create Music Group has dismissed these allegations as "unfounded," suggesting APG is struggling to adapt to the digital age and using legal action to slow Create's growth. Founded in 2015, Create has established itself through YouTube royalties collection and owns several music-related businesses, including Label Engine and Flighthouse.
This isn't Create's first legal challenge. In 2022, multiple executives reported instances of Create claiming YouTube royalties without proper rights. Additionally, DigiGlo sued Create in 2023 over similar allegations involving more than 400 works on YouTube, a case that remains ongoing.
The lawsuit represents a significant conflict between traditional music industry players and newer digital-focused companies, highlighting ongoing tensions over artist rights and royalty collection in the streaming era.
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