This week, the headlines focus on the infrastructure behind streaming: licensing frameworks, royalty accuracy, AI content flooding platforms, and the ever-growing influence of superfans. As major players reshape the rules of engagement, rights-holders are being called to dig deeper into how, and, more importantly, where, value is created.
#1. Sony and Spotify Sign New Global Licensing Agreement
Sony Music Group and Spotify have signed a new multi-year global licensing deal covering both recorded music and publishing. More importantly, the publishing component now includes a direct licensing agreement for Sony Music Publishing in the U.S., allowing Spotify to bypass the CRB’s bundled audiobook model and pay royalties more transparently.
All three majors have now finalized direct deals with Spotify, signaling a shift in how publishers negotiate with platforms and how royalties might evolve across future formats, especially as Spotify prepares to launch more video and interactive features.
#2. Great 78 Project Reaches Settlement with Record Labels
This one was a long-term move. The lawsuit filed against the Internet Archive's Great 78 Project has reached a settlement. The initiative, which digitized vintage vinyl records for public access, was challenged by UMG, Sony, and Capitol over unauthorized streaming of more than 2,700 recordings.
While the Internet Archive argued for preservation and educational use, the labels emphasized copyright protections. The terms of the settlement remain private, but the case reignites debates around historical recordings and the boundaries between archiving and commercial use.
#3. Deezer Confirms Continuous Rise in AI-Generated Music
Deezer has reiterated that AI-generated content continues to flood its platform, with thousands of new tracks uploaded each day. The platform says it's committed to labeling synthetic tracks and ensuring that royalties flow fairly to human creators. This follows recent statements that nearly a third of all new uploads are now AI-generated. A trend that's forcing DSPs to reconsider quality control, payout models, and content discovery mechanisms in an increasingly automated environment.
#4. Goldman Sachs Sees $200B Future for Music, Driven by Superfans
A new Goldman Sachs report projects that global music industry revenues could reach $200 billion, largely fueled by superfans and growth in emerging markets. Another one that highlights how fan-tier monetization, dynamic pricing, and deeper fan engagement will unlock significant new revenue streams. While the report is bullish overall, it also notes challenges around platform saturation and the need for innovation in both artist marketing and rights infrastructure.
#5. Bad Data is Costing Billions, Says KYA
A new feature on Know Your Artists (KYA) calls attention to the financial damage caused by inaccurate or incomplete metadata in the music industry. From misdirected royalties to lost licensing opportunities, the costs are adding up, especially for independent and long-tail catalog owners. More robust artist identification systems and tools that make metadata correction easier and more scalable across digital platforms can only be helpful.
