Spotify Faces Intellectual Property Lawsuit Over Jam Feature
Spotify is embroiled in a $10 million lawsuit filed by former VCU Brandcenter students who assert that the streaming giant appropriated their classroom project for its Jam feature without providing credit or compensation. The students claim that during a 2021 pitch, they shared the innovative concept of enabling friends to co-curate playlists in real time with Spotify executives, only to see a similar feature subsequently launched by the company. This accusation has stirred discussions within the industry about intellectual property rights and ethical practices in tech and music business dealings. Spotify has yet to issue a public statement regarding the lawsuit, which seeks both financial damages and formal recognition of authorship.
Meanwhile, OpenAI’s Sora 2 app has sparked controversy by allowing AI-generated deepfakes of deceased celebrities such as Robin Williams and Tupac Shakur, a move criticized by families and estates for being disrespectful and exploitative. This has raised important questions about the ethical use of AI in the entertainment sector.
In other industry news, TikTok is enhancing its monetization strategy by increasing U.S. and Canada creators’ share of subscription income to up to 90%, aiming to strengthen its competitive positioning against platforms like YouTube and Instagram. Eligible creators, those with over 10,000 followers, benefit from a 70% base payout with a 20% engagement bonus, highlighting TikTok’s commitment to fostering creator loyalty.
Additionally, Warner Music Group is reportedly in discussions with Netflix to develop films and documentaries focused on its expansive artist catalog. This collaboration seeks to leverage Warner’s storytelling potential for a global audience, reflecting CEO Robert Kyncl’s vision of untapped narratives and international ambitions.
In a quick roundup, Too Lost invests significantly in Rebellion Records, bolstering the indie label’s growth with advanced technology infrastructure, while Universal Music Group’s newly launched House of Carmen app aims to streamline influencer campaigns directly. Furthermore, “Goosebumps” by Kendrick Lamar and Travis Scott has become the highest-certified rap song in U.S. history. Finally, SoundCloud introduces a social discovery feature that enhances community-based music exploration by showcasing songs liked by friends, driving user engagement on the platform.
