Spotify, Apple, Google, Amazon, Orchard, Deezer, Others Sued For Copyright Infringement

Sony, Apple, Amazon, Spotify, Google, Microsoft, Orchard, Deezer, Shazam, MediaNet, CD Universe and Saavn are being sued for copyright infringement by a South African musician.

A new lawsuit alleges that major digital music distributors and streaming services allegedly sold or streamed tracks from South African gospel singer Seugne Botha aka Ms. Botha without a license or remuneration.

The Complaint alleges that Sony, Apple, Amazon, Spotify, Google, Microsoft, Orchard, Deezer, Shazam, MediaNet, CD Universe and Saavn all lacked a license to use Ms. Botha’s Songs and related artwork,

Ms. Botha
"The Complaint further alleges that Distributors’ misappropriation of Ms. Botha’s Work, as well as their use of Ms. Botha’s name and photos on their own websites, was intended to gain increased sales and revenue for themselves at the expense of the artist, competing in the same market."

"International artists' rights should be protected on the same footing as those of American artists," says Botha. The Music Modernization Act currently before the US. Congress would make it more difficult for unaffiliated artists to sue music streamers.