Nile Rodgers and Ludwig Göransson Criticize Spotify in Open Letter
“You have used us.”
Spotify CEO Daniel Ek has been criticized in an open letter signed by top songwriters such as Nile Rodgers, Ludwig Göransson, Frank Dukes, Greg Kurstin, Vinylz and Bibi Bourelly. The letter was focused on the Swedish company’s plans to appeal a royalties decision made by the U.S. Copyright Royalty Board in January 2018.
The board decided that mechanical royalties will be increased from 10.5% to 15.1% over the next five years. An excerpt from the letter looks into the group’s disappointment with the deal.
“We’re hurt and disappointed. You created a songwriter relations team and ingratiated Spotify into our community. We know that you are not the only DSP appealing the Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) rate determination. You are, however, the only provider that made us feel we were working to build a modern music industry together. Now, we can see the real reason for your songwriter outreach. You have used us and tried to divide us but we stand together.”
You can read the full letter at Billboard.
In other news, Billie Eilish’s The Office sample was officially approved by the cast.
