Spotify appoints US lobbying groups to influence new copyright policies

Spotify is looking to influence longstanding copyright policies, following their decision to hire four Washington D.C. lobby firms on Tuesday.

The streaming juggernaut have enlisted four major lobbying firms, Forbes-Tate, Peck Madigan Jones, Gibson Group and BakerHostetler, all of whom have registered with the Senate to lobby on behalf of Spotify.

According to official registration documents, all four firms aim to lobby “issues related to ongoing licensing, copyright, intellectual property, and related issues in the music and technology industries.”

Various publications have reported on Spotify hiring two other unnamed lobbying firms in Europe, and that the streaming giant has posted a new job listing for a Vice President of Public Policy.

Spotify declined to comment.

The news marks as an aggressive turn of events for the streaming company, which has for the first time turned to external lobbyists for support.

The investment into lobbyists coincide with political movements within the Senate, as governments consider altering laws that could significantly impact the rates streaming services pay to artists.

In Washington, existing copyright policies have received increased attention with suggestions that US laws should be amended to correspond with the digital age.

The concept of music services hiring lobby groups is not new; Apple currently employs six lobbying firms within the US, while the RIAA and Universal Music Group also spend millions each year on lobbyists.

Lobbyist registration documents:

BakerHostetler

http://soprweb.senate.gov/index.cfm?event=getFilingDetails&filingID=329dd215-11c2-4256-8d75-0bd3724748fa&filingTypeID=1

Gibson Group

http://soprweb.senate.gov/index.cfm?event=getFilingDetails&filingID=6f740a0b-b90a-40b8-afd5-8e2df71ec5f7&filingTypeID=1

Peck Madigan Jones

http://soprweb.senate.gov/index.cfm?event=getFilingDetails&filingID=734db43f-8e22-45d0-9e49-393db8f5b386&filingTypeID=1

Forbes-Tate

http://soprweb.senate.gov/index.cfm?event=getFilingDetails&filingID=57cf34a9-7b54-4d57-98f5-39280216afc0&filingTypeID=1