Tag: licensing

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

August 4, 2026

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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 Universal Music Group Announce Landmark Licensing Agreements for Fan-Made Covers and Remixes

May 21, 2026

a graphic green design of rectangles with the green spotify logo on top

Groundbreaking responsible AI tool to launch as paid add-on for Spotify Premium users  

Spotify and Universal Music Group (UMG) today announced landmark recorded music and music publishing licensing agreements enabling Spotify to launch a new tool allowing fans to create covers and remixes of their favorite songs from participating artists and songwriters.  

This groundbreaking tool will be powered by generative AI technology that will open up additional revenue streams and new ways to drive discovery. It introduces a creation model where artists and songwriters can directly share in the value generated through AI-driven licensed covers and remixes on the Spotify platform.  

The new tool will launch as a paid add-on for Spotify Premium users and create an additional source of income for artists and songwriters, on top of what they already earn on Spotify.  

“Solving hard problems for music is what Spotify does, and fan-made covers and remixes are next. What we’re building is grounded in consent, credit, and compensation for the artists and songwriters that take part. Through each technological transformation, we have worked together with Sir Lucian and his team to evolve the music ecosystem into a richer, more beneficial experience for fans and a more rewarding outcome for artists and songwriters,” said Alex Norström, Co-CEO, Spotify.  

“The most valuable innovations in the music business always bring artists and fans closer together. That principle is at the heart of this pioneering AI-enabled superfan initiative, which is designed to support human artistry, deepen fan relationships, and create additional revenue opportunities for artists and songwriters. Building on our long track record of leading the industry through technology changes, and collaborating with Alex, Gustav, Daniel and the team at Spotify, this initiative is firmly artist-centric, rooted in responsible AI, and will drive growth for the entire ecosystem,” said Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman & CEO, Universal Music Group.

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 761 million users, including 293 million subscribers, in 184 markets.

About Universal Music Group 

At Universal Music Group, we exist to shape culture through the power of artistry. UMG is the world leader in music-based entertainment, with a broad array of businesses engaged in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising, and audiovisual content. Featuring the most comprehensive catalogue of recordings and songs across every musical genre, UMG identifies and develops artists and produces and distributes the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful music in the world. Committed to artistry, innovation, and entrepreneurship, UMG fosters the development of services, platforms, and business models in order to broaden artistic and commercial opportunities for our artists and create new experiences for fans. For more information, visit www.universalmusic.com. 

BMG and Spotify Sign New US Direct Licensing Agreement

October 8, 2025

Spotify and BMG have entered into a direct, multiyear US publishing licensing agreement designed to deliver greater value to songwriters and their teams. 

This agreement reflects BMG and Spotify’s shared interest in building a direct relationship that ensures songwriters share more directly in the value created by their work. It’s a practical step toward a more flexible licensing model that better serves both publishers and their artists, ensuring BMG songwriters benefit more directly in the growth of streaming. 

“At Spotify, we believe the future of music depends on stronger collaboration across the industry,” said Alex Norström, Co-President and Chief Business Officer, Spotify. “Our partnership with BMG advances that vision with renewed support for songwriters through a licensing model that will enhance how music is enjoyed on our platform.” 

The deal serves as the latest step following BMG’s announcement in late 2023 that it was taking direct control of its digital business, enabling the company to manage its own relationships with streaming platforms to leverage data, improve artist services, and streamline operations for its substantial music catalog.

“Working directly with Spotify helps us reinforce our mission to ensure songwriters are fairly represented and rewarded for their work,” said Thomas Coesfeld, CEO of BMG. “We’re pleased to agree on a progressive licensing model that reflects the real-world use of music across digital platforms and are excited to take our partnership to the next level as we continue to redefine what a modern music company can be.

“We applaud Spotify’s momentum and support their position on developing new AI protections,” he continued. “While we support the use of AI to enhance human creativity, these policies align with BMG’s philosophy and will help ensure that fair remuneration and protection of artists’ works remain nonnegotiable.”

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.”

Want to Start a Podcast? Hear How From Anchor Podcasters

April 2, 2020

Always wanted to host and produce your own podcast? While it may feel like a significant undertaking, there are plenty of tools that can help—and podcast experts who are ready to guide you along the way.

Anchor, the podcasting platform Spotify acquired in 2019, provides easy-to-use creative tools, free content hosting, and distribution to listening platforms, including Spotify. Since its creation, Anchor has enabled people all over the world to broadcast their voices.

Looking for additional guidance and inspiration on starting your podcast? Well, look no further than Anchor’s How I Podcast series, where podcasters deep dive into their processes and best practices. Check out this roundup of great advice from Anchor creators Ashley Smith and Kristy Brannon, Evan Pricco and Doug Gillen, Aaron Bernstein, and Alex and Christine Schiefer.