Canadian Labels Win Landmark Order Against Stream-Ripping Platforms

Music Canada has secured a ruling from the country’s Federal Court that blocks access to major stream-ripping services. The trade association represents Canada’s three major labels: Sony Music Entertainment Canada, Universal Music Canada, and Warner Music Canada.

Why it matters:

• Stream ripping allows users to convert music and video from licensed streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube into permanent audio downloads through third-party websites.

• This prevents artists and rightsholders from earning the royalties the streams would otherwise generate.

• Streaming accounts for more than 75% of recorded music revenue in Canada.

How site blocking works:

• As per Music Business Worldwide, the targeted stream-ripping domains include Y2mate.ws, YTmp3.lat, Savefrom.space, and Spowload.cc.

• Nine major Canadian internet service providers (ISPs), including Bell, Rogers, and TekSavvy, must block access to these domains using DNS blocking or rerouting for a period of two years.

• The ISPs must notify those trying to access the domains why they are no longer accessible.

• The court has also issued a permanent injunction requiring the operators to cease all infringing activities and deactivate the domains.

• Music Canada can expand the blocklist to cover future copycat domains without needing a new full hearing.

What they said:

• Patrick Rogers, CEO of Music Canada: “Music Canada is committed to taking action against bad actors who deliberately steal from artists and rightsholders. Our goal is to ensure that artists are paid when their music is played. Preventing stream ripping services from operating is one way in which we can help do that.”