A newly filed class-action lawsuit accuses Spotify of overlooking large-scale fraudulent streaming activity that may have artificially inflated the streaming numbers of Drake. HotNewHipHop
The suit, brought by rapper RBX on behalf of other artists and rights-holders, alleges that every month “billions” of fake streams are generated on Spotify, and that the platform already possesses—or should possess—substantial information showing the extent of this fraud. HotNewHipHop
At the heart of the claim is Spotify’s royalty-distribution model: the “streamshare” approach pools all streams together and allocates payments proportional to each artist’s share. The plaintiffs argue that fake streams distort this system, siphoning revenue from legitimate artists, songwriters, and producers. HotNewHipHop
Although the lawsuit references Drake, he is not listed as a defendant nor accused of criminal behavior. Instead, the focus is on Spotify’s alleged failure to rein in fraudulent activity that might be benefiting high-profile artists. HotNewHipHop
The plaintiffs are seeking compensatory and punitive damages, asserting that rights-holders have been defrauded of “hundreds of millions of dollars” due to the alleged streaming manipulation.
(Photo by Marcelo Hernandez/Getty Images)
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