Spotify is facing a $1.6 billion lawsuit from Wixen Music Publishing, the publisher that represents artists like Tom Petty, Zach De La Rocha and Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine, The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach, Steely Dan’s Donald Fagen, Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo, David Cassidy, Neil Young, Sonic Youth’s Kim Gordon, Stevie Nicks and many others according The Hollywood Reporter. It was filed last December 29. They were suing Spotify because of copyright infringement. Apparently, Spotify is allegedly using thousands and thousands of its songs without the proper license especially from signed artists. Spotify is being charged $1.6 Billion for damages.
Wixen Music stated that Spotify has as much as 21% of the 30 million songs unlicensed. Spotify seems to have a big problem with distribution companies. Last May they also had to deal with their proposed $43million settlement with songwriters that were led by David Lowery and Melissa Ferrick.
This news just broke out so stay tuned for more details!