NMPA files FTC complaint against Spotify, alleging reduced royalty payments for songwriters due to addition of audiobooks.

The National Music Publishers' Association (NMPA) has filed a complaint with the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) against Spotify, claiming its addition of audiobooks to its premium subscription offering led to reduced royalty payments for songwriters. The NMPA argues that Spotify's "bundle" subscription scheme allows it to pay a discounted rate, as it now pays for both music and books under the same subscription price, potentially reducing payments to songwriters by $150m over the next year. Spotify dismissed the allegations as "baseless".

June 12, 2024
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