Tag: licensing agreement

Spotify and Merlin Announce Licensing Agreement for Fan-Made Covers and Remixes

August 4, 2026

A Spotify logo on a gradient background

Spotify and Merlin today announced a new licensing agreement for Spotify’s upcoming fan-made covers and remixing tool, which will give listeners a new way to engage with the music they love from participating artists and songwriters. The agreement enables artists on labels under Merlin’s Spotify agreement the option to participate.

As previously announced, Spotify’s tool will launch as a paid add-on, which will create an additional revenue stream for participating artists. 

Charlie Hellman, SVP and Global Head of Music at Spotify, said: “This agreement with Merlin ensures participating artists are credited and compensated, and that every creation drives listeners back to the original work. We’re proud to extend this model to the independent community, and we look forward to welcoming more partners as we continue to build.”

Charlie Lexton, CEO Merlin commented: “Giving our members’ artists the choice to make their music available as part of this exciting technology, while ensuring the opportunity to participate in an additional revenue stream, is exactly what Merlin is here to do. Spotify’s respect for our members’ and their artists’ rights is exemplary, making our decision to work on this project an easy one.”

About Spotify 

Since its launch in 2008, Spotify has revolutionised music listening. Our move into podcasting brought innovation and a new generation of listeners to the medium. In 2022, we took the next leap, entering the fast-growing audiobook market—continuing to shape the future of audio.

Today, more listeners than ever can discover, manage and enjoy over 100 million tracks, 7 million podcast titles, and 700,000 audiobooks on Spotify. We are the world’s most popular audio streaming subscription service with 777 million users, including 300 million subscribers, in 184 markets.

About Merlin

Merlin is the digital music licensing partner for the world’s leading independent labels and distributors. Merlin has negotiated premium deals with Apple, Canva, ElevenLabs, Meta, Spotify, Udio, YouTube, and 40 other innovative platforms around the world. Our global membership is from 70+ countries, representing 15% of the global recorded music market. Merlin operates for the benefit of its members and is funded entirely by our low 1.5% admin fee. Merlin helps the world’s leading independent music companies own their digital business through world-class deals and a range of member benefits. Merlin’s membership includes independents such as: Absolute Label Services, anjunabeats, Amuse, Armada Music, AudioSalad, Better Noise Music, Casete Agricultura Digital, Cinq Music Group, Curb Records, Domino, Epitaph, Exceleration Music, Fluxus, GYROstream, Hopeless Records, IDJDigital, IDOL, Innercat Music, K7, Kontor New Media, Mad Decent, Measurable Accurate Digital Solutions, Mills Records, MNRK, Mushroom Music, Nettwerk, Ninja Tune, Phonographic Digital Limited, Polyvinyl Records, Pony Canyon, Random Sounds, Secretly, Secret City, Sound Republica, Starbase, Stones Throw, Strm, Sub Pop, Symphonic Distribution, Wagram Music, Warp Records, Zebralution, and hundreds more.

Spotify and NMPA Announce Agreement to Expand Direct-Licensing Audiovisual Opportunities for Independent Publishers

November 11, 2025

Today, Spotify and the National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) launched a new Opt-In Portal for NMPA members to enter into a direct license agreement for expanded audiovisual rights in the US. These new agreements mean higher royalty payouts for independent music publishers and songwriters, and in exchange Spotify will receive new rights to build video features that better connect artists and fans. 

“This new partnership with the NMPA will increase revenue for songwriters and independent publishers who are the heart of the industry,” said Alex Norström, Co-President and Chief Business Officer, Spotify. “We look forward to continuing to work with the NMPA to create new value and opportunities for their members.”

“We are pleased that this deal offers indie publishers the chance to enter into direct deals with Spotify in regard to audiovisual streaming functionality on the platform alongside the recently announced larger publishing companies,” added David Israelite, President and CEO, NMPA. “This new income stream reflects the growing value of songs as digital platforms offer new capabilities to consumers.” 

The NMPA Opt-In Portal is open to eligible publishers beginning today, November 11, 2025, with onboarding continuing through December 19.

Amra and Spotify Strike a New Multi-Territorial Direct Licensing Agreement

August 21, 2025

Spotify and amra, the world’s first and only global digital licensing collection society, have entered into a direct multi-territorial, multi-year licensing agreement designed to deliver greater flexibility and value to amra’s songwriter and publisher clients.

The deal represents a broad direct license for digital mechanical and performing rights. Its framework reflects a genuinely collaborative effort between amra and Spotify, with considerations to enable new product features and formats. 

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

Tomas Ericsson, CEO of amra, said, “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. We look forward to continuing to work with Spotify over the coming years.”

Kobalt and Spotify Strike New Direct Licensing Agreement

August 13, 2025

Spotify and Kobalt, the world’s largest independent music publisher, have entered into a direct, multiyear licensing agreement designed to deliver greater flexibility, efficiency, value, and protections to songwriters in the U.S.

This deal reflects the collaborative efforts between Kobalt and Spotify in building a licensing framework to enable new formats, innovations, and potential to connect creators and fans alike. The deal also reflects a broader shift toward licensing structures that allow songwriters to participate more directly in the value their work creates on streaming platforms.

“We’ve always believed that better partnerships lead to better outcomes,” said Alex Norström, Co-President & Chief Business Officer, Spotify. “This agreement with Kobalt boosts our support of songwriters through a licensing model that unlocks new growth and will expand the way music is made and shared today.” 

Laurent Hubert, CEO of Kobalt said, “As the largest independent music publisher dedicated to fighting for the rights of songwriters, this deal reaffirms our unwavering commitment to ensuring our songwriters are paid fairly for their work, and underscores the importance of progressive licensing models that reflect the real-world use of music across digital platforms. This partnership is a step in the right direction, and we look forward to continuing to work with Spotify to increase the value of songwriter royalties.”