Musicians and songwriters all over the world are not amused by Musixmatch's latest policy changes! All of the lyrics that you see on Spotify come from Musixmatch, and artists were able to submit them for free for years… until now! 

A recent policy change negatively affects every singer/songwriter that releases music to digital streaming platforms, such as Spotify, and all users of streaming services who pay premium monthly subscriptions that include the song lyrics.

Partner Platforms already pay Musixmatch for the lyrics they have. Musixmatch now decided they will no longer distribute lyrics until artists pay for a subscription! This policy change now requires all artists to purchase a Musixmatch Pro subscription before their lyrics are distributed and publicly displayed on streaming services like Spotify.

This is deemed unethical because:

1. Many artists already pay their distributors (extra) to have lyrics published and synced on Spotify, and other platforms. Now artists are forced to additionally subscribe to Musixmatch Pro!
2. Platforms buy licenses from Musixmatch to display all lyrics in their database. 
3. There is no other way for artists to get lyrics displayed on Spotify, and most of Musixmatch's partner platforms. One could challenge if this is abuse of monopoly power!
4. Subscribers of streaming services, such as Spotify, pay for premium subscriptions that include the display of available song lyrics. The policy change essentially downgrades the listening experience of fans on various streaming platforms (e.g. Spotify & Apple Music).

All in all, this leaves many artists and fans in a tight spot. Especially smaller artists are hit because the cost of the paid Musixmatch Pro accounts is much higher than the potential songwriter royalties most artists receive for their song lyrics. 

Musixmatch has a monopoly position, and with such a position also comes a responsibility.
The distribution of lyrics to partner platforms must go through Musixmatch's system. Artists and songwriters are not given any alternative routes to have their lyrics reproduced, distributed, and displayed to the public that make use of these partner platforms.

The solution for Musixmatch is very simple!

Musixmatch already has a system in place that gives artists the possibility to be verified (the Musixmatch Pro Free account), but the distribution of lyrics to Spotify, and other platforms has been placed behind a paid subscription (Pro Basic, or higher). Musixmatch ignores the fact that partner platforms already paid to get all of the available lyrics and artists already paid to get their lyrics published by their distributor.

We urge Musixmatch to reconsider their position and respect that every artist has the right to get their song lyrics displayed to their audience, without multiple parties having to pay for the same distribution. The modified policies limit the songwriters ability to have their song lyrics displayed publicly and receive royalties without offering alternatives.

1. Until there are other ways to get lyrics distributed to the streaming services, we ask Musixmatch to stop requiring verified artists to pay for a mandatory Pro Subscription in order for their lyrics to be distributed to streaming platforms. 
   
   
2. Until there are other alternatives, include the distribution and syncing of song lyrics submitted by / on behalf of verified artists in every Musixmatch Pro Free plan.

Stand with us in the fight to protect songwriters' rights. Sign this petition and make your voice heard. Demand fair music corporate policies.

Thank you!