Spotify Signs New Publishing Agreement With amra

Spotify has continued to expand the scope of its relationship with publishers via a new deal with amra, the platform for global digital licensing royalty collection. Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, and Kobalt Music Group have all signed similar deals with Spotify.

Spotify X amra:

• The new agreement is a multi-territorial, multi-year renewal deal covering digital mechanical, and performing rights throughout amra’s global market share.

• amra collects royalties from various regions including Southeast Asia, India, Australia, Brazil, and Japan.

• amra licenses Kobalt’s catalog globally. Spotify’s deal with Kobalt only pertained to the United States.

• This is the latest deal Spotify struck with publishers over the controversy surrounding its premium subscription being classified as a “bundle” service. This designation legally allows Spotify to pay out lower royalties to publishers.

What they said:

• Alex Norström, Co-President & Chief Business Officer, Spotify: “This deal with amra increases our support of publishers and songwriters with new rights. It expands the benefits of streaming for writers, artists, and rightsholders and unlocks additional value for fans as we deliver music around the world.”

• Tomas Ericsson, CEO of amra, commented: “Our priority and mission at amra is and will always be to maximize the digital value for our songwriter and publisher clients and to ensure their works are protected and valued fairly in the marketplace. This partnership with Spotify, which enables new innovation, reaffirms that commitment.”