The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) announced that it has signed a licensing agreement with Spotify.
For more information visit: www.ascap.com
Unedited press release follows:
ASCAP Announces U.S. Licensing Agreement With Spotify
NEW YORK, NY–(Jul 14, 2011) – ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) and Spotify have reached an agreement for the Spotify digital streaming music service, launched today in the U.S., to license the public performance of over 8.5 million musical works in the ASCAP repertory. Under the Agreement, Spotify is licensed to stream the works of over 415,000 songwriter, composer and music publisher members of ASCAP.
The Agreement covers ASCAP member performances in the U.S. by Spotify’s multi-tiered service, including free, ad-supported streaming and its subscription-based products. The agreement runs through 2013. As part of the agreement, ASCAP and Spotify will utilize a Digital Data Exchange (DDEX) standard for music use reporting. DDEX is an industry-wide consortium whose aim is the creation and adoption of standards for highly-efficient content and metadata exchanges between partners in the digital music supply chain. ASCAP has been a Charter member of DDEX since its founding in 2006.
ASCAP CEO John LoFrumento commented: “ASCAP is delighted to have entered into an agreement with Spotify that is consistent with our commitment to negotiating fair payment for the public performance of our members’ music. Spotify understood the benefits of obtaining an ASCAP blanket license in advance of their much-anticipated launch in the U.S., creating a healthy environment for the growth of their business while recognizing that music creators should be paid fairly for their work.”
About ASCAP
Established in 1914, ASCAP is the first and leading U.S. Performing Rights Organization (PRO) representing the world’s largest repertory totaling over 8.5 million copyrighted musical works of every style and genre from more than 415,000 songwriter, composer and music publisher members. ASCAP has representation arrangements with similar foreign organizations so that the ASCAP repertory is represented in nearly every country around the world where copyright law exists. ASCAP protects the rights of its members and foreign affiliates by licensing the public performances of their copyrighted works and distributing royalties based upon surveyed performances. ASCAP is the only American PRO owned and governed by its writer and publisher members. www.ascap.com