Streaming services, publishers and songwriters file competing royalty proposals with CRB

The short version

• Streaming services, publishers and songwriter groups have filed competing proposals with the Copyright Royalty Board for songwriter mechanical royalty rates.[Billboard]
• The proceeding, called Phono V, sets rates for 2028 through 2032, and a CRB trial is slated to begin in spring 2027.[Billboard]
• Publishers and songwriter groups seek higher rates and tighter bundle rules; Spotify wants to keep the 15.35% headline rate, and Amazon proposes 13.4%.[Billboard]
• The NMPA estimates that Spotify and Amazon bundling moves have cost songwriters and publishers about $500 million since spring 2024, an estimate not independently confirmed in this reporting.[Billboard]

Key facts

• The Copyright Royalty Board sets mechanical royalties songwriters earn from streaming services for a five-year period, covering 2028 through 2032 in Phono V.[Billboard]
• Direct case proposals were submitted on October 5, and the proposals were made public a few days later.[Billboard]
• The CRB is scheduled to start a Phono V trial in spring 2027.[Billboard]
• Mechanical royalties make up roughly half of the money songwriters earn from streaming services.[Billboard]
• The Phono IV proceeding, covering 2023 through 2027, was settled by the parties before a CRB trial began.[Billboard]
• The NMPA estimated in June that Spotify and Amazon bundling moves have cost songwriters and publishers about $500 million combined since spring 2024.[Billboard]
• Amazon Music proposes lowering the headline rate from 15.35% to 13.4% of revenue, and Spotify proposes keeping the 15.35% headline rate.[Billboard]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• Songwriter Streaming Royalties: Read What Every Streamer, Publisher & Songwriter Group Has ProposedBillboard