The news that Spotify is now striking direct licensing deals with artists hasn’t exactly delighted the world’s biggest rights-holders. This is the latest flashpoint in a fascinatingly edgy marriage between Spotify and the labels, where both spouses remain publicly enamoured with, and financially dependent on, one another – yet utterly paranoid that their betrothed is trying to get their leg over elsewhere.
Source: Spotify must tread carefully if it wants to strike direct deals with artists