NMPA Warns Spotify May ‘Declare War’ On Songwriters Over 44% Royalty Rate Increase
The NMPA and its member music publishers are reminding songwriters and other publishers that Spotify and other digital music streamers thus far "won’t say" if they plan to appeal the 44% increase over five year in mechanical royalties to songwriters made official by the US Copyright Royalty Board this week.
Apple Music has said they will not contest the increase.
"The digital music companies now have 30 days to decide whether to appeal that ruling, and in effect declare war against songwriters.," wrote NMPA head David Israelite in an Instagram post. "We will know soon whether some digital companies want to be partners or want to attack the Songwriters who make their businesses possible. "
This week the US Copyright Royalty Board published the final rates and terms for mechanical royalties for songwriters to the Federal Register, making them official more than a year after they were first announced.
The rates cover the period from 2018 to 2022 includes a significant increase in the overall percentage of revenue paid to songwriters from 10.5% to 15.1% over the next five years, equating to an almost 44% jump over the period.
