In a surprising turn of events, Spotify has emerged victorious in a long-standing court case involving the streaming of Eminem’s music without permission. The case, which was initiated in 2019 by the rapper’s publisher, Eight Mile Style, alleged that Spotify had failed to properly license Eminem’s work, leading to lost royalties amounting to approximately £30m.
Despite the court ruling that Spotify did not have a license to stream Eminem’s tracks, the judge in Tennessee has absolved the music company of any liability for lost royalties. Instead, any potential penalty would have to be paid by Kobalt Music Group, which collected royalties on behalf of Eminem’s publisher.
The case shed light on the complexities of music rights administration in the streaming era, where the lines between licensing, royalties, and ownership can become blurred. Eminem, who was not directly involved in the lawsuit, remained one of the most-streamed artists on Spotify throughout the legal battle, with a staggering 76 million monthly listeners.
Spotify responded to the lawsuit by shifting blame to Kobalt Music Publishing, accusing the company of misleading them into believing they had the rights to administer Eight Mile’s catalogue. The back-and-forth legal proceedings highlighted the intricacies of the case, with allegations of deception and confusion on both sides.
Ultimately, Judge Aleta A. Trauger ruled in favor of Spotify, stating that the company should not be held liable for damages. She pointed out that the licensing rights for Eminem’s music had been transferred to another company affiliated with Eight Mile, but this information was not properly communicated to third parties.
The judge’s decision highlighted the importance of clear communication and transparency in the music industry, especially when it comes to licensing and rights management. As Spotify emerges victorious in this legal battle, the case serves as a cautionary tale for all parties involved in the complex world of music streaming and rights administration.
