As new evidence points to remixing and mashup tools in Spotify’s upcoming Super-Premium tier, DIY distributors including CD Baby are updating their terms with expanded permissions covering derivative works. Photo Credit: David Pupăză
Amid renewed indications that the remix and mashup wheels are in motion at Spotify, DIY distributors including CD Baby are updating their terms with expanded permissions for derivative works.
Multiple artists and managers reached out to DMN with word of the adjustments, which are said to be hitting TuneCore, DistroKid, CD Baby, and possibly others yet. In turn, we contacted the distributors (and, where appropriate, their owners) for comment, but didn’t receive responses in time for publishing.
As we await those follow-ups – besides additional details from artists themselves – we certainly aren’t without relevant information. At the top level, many are well aware that Spotify is preparing to launch a higher-priced subscription option.
Tentatively billed as Spotify Deluxe by CEO Daniel Ek, the superfan-geared tier is expected to include a long-awaited audio-quality upgrade. More than that, however, reports have pointed to potential Deluxe perks like priority concert-ticket access and a suite of AI-powered remix tools.
The latter, though rumored since at least 2023, is now set to feature the option of mixing tracks from different artists, per Bloomberg. And on top of further diversifying Spotify’s offerings (among them audiobooks, podcasts, courses, and all manner of videos), the remix buildout is fueling fresh licensing considerations.
When it comes to compositional rightsholders, bundling-minded Spotify isn’t exactly on the best terms with songwriters and publishers; the NMPA has reiterated that direct deals are a mandatory stop on the road to non-infringing remixes.
While the corresponding talks are certainly worth monitoring throughout 2025, closer to the present, adjacent licensing efforts have apparently been in full swing for some time.
To be sure, CD Baby in August 2023 – or right around when Spotify’s mixing-tool ambitions entered the media spotlight – tacked on an “additional grant” to its existing artist agreement.
Per the relevant text (which was shared with DMN), said additional grant affords licensees like Spotify as well as different DSPs and social platforms the ability to “transform, remix and otherwise create derivative works” of artists’ songs “alone or in combination with other sounds and sound recordings.”
That refers in part to remixes and “mashups,” per the clause, variations of which appear to be present in publicly available artist agreements from TuneCore and DistroKid.
As mentioned, distributors’ remix-related term updates are ongoing, and Spotify hasn’t publicly revealed the expansion’s specifics. Beyond artist and rightsholder approval, pressing questions remain about remix compensation, competing streaming platforms’ plans in this area, and more.