6 May 2014 – The Swedish Musicians’ Union sues record companies for music on Spotify – The Swedish Musician’s Union, as representative of a number of its members, has sued the record companies Warner, MNW and Naxos. The aim is to take to court the question of whether the record companies have the right to put recordings with the artists on Spotify and other digital platforms.
“The record companies have used the conditions specified in old agreements that were made before the “digital era” and they consider these to be applicable even when distributing via streaming services. We believe this to be illegal. New conditions and new types of music use demand new legal agreements”, says Per Herrey, legal advisor of the Swedish Musicians’ Union.
The question of the use of performers’ recordings and the conditions for remuneration for this use in the digital environment have never been tried before in a Swedish court.
The artists concerned are Lädernunnan and Johan Johansson where two separate summonses have been made against MNW Music AB, Tryggve Johansson (the dance band Jigs) against Warner Music AB and Lina Nyberg and Rigmor Gustafsson who together have sued Naxos Music AB.
”The fact that the companies distribute old recordings without permission on Spotify, for which they have already earned an incredible amount of money and furthermore keep 90 to 95% of the income is completely unreasonable. “ Jan Granvik (photo), chairman of the Swedish Musicians’ Union goes on to say: “The record companies must contribute towards creating a field which merits the respect and trust of the world around it”.
For more information
Per Herrey | +46 70 142 83 30 | per.herrey(at)musikerforbundet.se
Jan Granvik | +46 70 736 52 61 | jan.granvik(at)musikerforbundet.se