Spotify has won a significant legal battle against Eight Mile Style, co-publisher of 242 Eminem tracks, in a mechanical licensing lawsuit that began in 2019.

Key Details of the Case:

• Eight Mile Style sued Spotify for streaming Eminem's tracks without proper mechanical licenses
• Eminem was not aware of the lawsuit when it was filed
• The publisher claimed Spotify made only partial payments despite "billions" of streams
• The case also challenged the Music Modernization Act's liability limitations

The Court's Decision:

• Judge Aleta A. Trauger ruled in Spotify's favor
• The court found Eight Mile Style attempted to "enrich itself" by obscuring song ownership
• Although Spotify lacked proper licenses, Kobalt Music Group was deemed responsible
• Spotify had been paying royalties through Kobalt since 2011

Complex Rights Management:

• Kobalt was Eight Mile's collection agent but lacked US and Canada licensing rights
• These rights had been transferred to Bridgeport in 2009
• Eight Mile failed to properly communicate this transfer
• The judge noted the music industry's complex licensing structure made Spotify's confusion "plausible"

Final Outcome:

• Spotify avoided copyright infringement damages
• Kobalt must pay reasonable attorney's fees and expenses
• The case highlights the complexities of music rights administration in the streaming era

This case demonstrates the intricate nature of music licensing and the challenges faced by streaming platforms in navigating complex rights management systems.

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