Spotify's planned Super-Premium tier faces potential delays due to an ongoing licensing dispute with music publishers, particularly regarding its proposed remix and mashup features.


The National Music Publishers' Association (NMPA) has taken aggressive action against Spotify, issuing thousands of takedown notices targeting unauthorized use of protected works in podcasts. This follows a May 2024 warning where NMPA explicitly cautioned Spotify against launching any remix features without proper licensing agreements.

Key Points of Contention:

• Spotify's extensive bundling practices are generating significant royalty savings, drawing criticism from songwriters and publishers
• The platform's planned remix feature would allow subscribers to modify songs and create derivative works
• AI-powered multi-artist track mashups are part of the proposed 2025 Super-Premium rollout
• Two major publishing companies have moved toward direct licensing deals, but smaller publishers remain hesitant

The situation is particularly complex for independent publishers, who lack major labels' negotiating power but hold valuable catalogs crucial for Spotify's remix plans. Some DIY distributors have already updated their contracts to include expanded remix and mashup permissions.

Spotify appears to be planning a gradual feature rollout for Super-Premium rather than a comprehensive launch, likely in response to these licensing challenges. This strategy may help navigate the complex licensing landscape while still moving forward with the new tier's development.

The outcome of this dispute could significantly impact the timing and features of Spotify's Super-Premium tier, as the platform balances its expansion ambitions with the need to secure proper licensing agreements.

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