UNLIMITED SUPPLY with Digital Music News Bundlegate's anniversary, one-second lawsuits, and when song parody becomes history.
Jun 23, 2025
The podcast dives into Bundlegate, highlighting Spotify's bundle scrutiny and potential FTC investigations. It addresses the unfair advantages created by Universal's acquisitions and Budweiser's controversial licensing tactics. The discussion also touches on the landscape of the music industry, including artist management challenges and the impact of layoffs in Nashville. Listeners are reminded of upcoming festivals and events, emphasizing the importance of technology and engagement in this ever-evolving scene.
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Spotify's Bundlegate Controversy
- Bundlegate marks Spotify's tactic to classify premium subscriptions as bundles to reduce publishing costs.
- This move has stirred controversy and calls for FTC investigation by senators.
Major Labels Using Data for Edge
- Universal's acquisition of Downtown faces scrutiny over unfair competitive advantages in artist intel.
- Sony's similar data usage shows the industry's race to leverage indie artist data for signing and investing.
Budweiser's Unlicensed Music Campaign
- Budweiser's Cannes Lions-winning campaign used one-second music clips without rights clearance.
- They blatantly included iconic bands in their case study while dodging payment, sparking inevitable lawsuits.