Spotify and Warner end India spat thanks to licensing agreement

Spotify has reached a licensing deal with Warner Music Group, which ends a complicated international dispute between the companies. The two parties had been locked in a legal debate about Spotify’s launch in India last February, where they had a waiting case over the streaming service’s use of statutory licenses for providing the Warner Chappell publishing arm’s catalog in that market.

“Spotify and Warner Chappell have signed a multi-territory licensing agreement,” the companies’ statements read. “This agreement includes India, and therefore the parties have jointly asked the court to dismiss the pending litigation between the parties, which it has.”

“We’re happy with this outcome,” a representative from Warner said. “This new deal appropriately values our songwriters’ music and expands our licensed partnership with Spotify to include India.”

“In less than a year, millions of Indian listeners have joined Spotify, listening to their favorite artists and songwriters from across the globe,” a Spotify spokesperson said. “We’re pleased with this agreement, and together with Warner Chappell Music, we look forward to helping songwriters and artists connect with more fans, and for more fans to enjoy and be inspired by their music.”