Entertainment company KakaoM, one of the largest co-publishers in South Korea as well as record label, talent agency, music production and music publisher releases a statement.
They say that Spotify was the one to end their Licensing Agreement.
Fans are furious.
Kakao M has issued a statement in response to Spotify’s claims about the expiration of their global licensing agreement.
Spotify made a statement about why they removed hundreds of K-pop releases from their platform.
Spotify stated that they have tried for more than a year renewing their global licensing agreement with Kakao Mo to no avail, forcing them to remove hundreds of K-pop songs distributed by Kakao M from Spotify.
Kakao M releasing their own statement, where they claim that Spotify chose not to renew an agreement, while Kakoa M requested Spotify to do so.
Kakao M also states that they are still negotiating with Spotify if their catalogue will still be made available for South Korean Spotify. Spotify backs up this claim that Kakao M and Spotify are separately negotiating regarding a domestic contract.
Spotify’s policy is that procedures for global and domestic contracts should be at the same time, therefore the global contract has expired. Furthermore, Kakao M is negotiating about the supply of music.
Artists that have been affected (partially):
IU, SEVENTEEN, NU’EST, MAMAMOO, ASTRO, Epik High, MOMOLAND, CL, GFRIEND, BEAST, MONSTA X, Apink, Brave Girls, BIBI, THE BOYZ, Sunmi, (G)I-DLE, LOONA, SF9, HyunA, 4Minute, VIXX, INFINITE, Dreamcatcher, Zico, Block B, Jessi, WJSN, AOA, BTOB, Golden Child, VICTON, Lovelyz, PENTAGON, ONEUS, Hyolyn, KARD, CNBLUE, DIA, Younha, SECHSKIES, etcetera.
