A new problem looms over Apple. This time we are not talking about Coronavirus, which is making the plans to modify the American company, if not a new demand. This new legal battle focuses on the Apple Music service due to unfair competition. Apple is not alone as a defendant, as a company has initiated legal proceedings against all streaming music services.
Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon, Google ... have been sued by Pro Music Rights (PMR), a for-profit organization. It is the fifth public performance rights organization to be formed in the United States.
Pro Music Rights (PMR) sues Apple Music and other streaming music services
Although the one raised by Pro Music Rights is a new demand, the issue is nothing new for Apple Music or for the other companies that are dedicated to the streaming music service. In December 2019, he already sued Apple for allegedly streaming copyrighted music without obtaining proper licenses.
The new judicial process filed in the United States District Court of Connecticut, accuses Apple, Amazon, Google, Spotify, SoundCloud and other streaming companies of having «signed an illegal agreement, combination and / or conspiracy to remove PMR from the market and set prices well below those stipulated in the market.
Pro Music Rights claims that streaming companies are violating the Sherman Act, Connecticut Antitrust Act, and Connecticut Unfair Business Practices Act, claiming that they have agreed to work together to eliminate legitimate competition.
PMR currently controls a 7,4% market share in the US. and performs work with such famous performers as Snoop Dogg, A $ AP Rocky, Wiz Khalifa, Pharrell, Young Jeezy ... etc; We are talking about a foundation with a lot in the music market. We will see how the events unfold.