Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran, Coldplay and others will now be available to Spotify users in India

• Spotify users in India will finally be able to stream Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran and other popular stars.
  
• The music streaming service has renewed its partnership with the Warner Music Group, ending a very public dispute over music rights.
  
• The music giant’s full library of songs now extends to India as well.
  

Spotify and one the world’s largest music labels, Warner Music Group, have renewed their global licensing deal ending a very public dispute of music rights.

The music giant’s full library of music will finally be available to users in India — including songs by Bruno Mars, Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, Linkin Park and others.

“Spotify and Warner Music Group are pleased to announce a renewed global licensing partnership. This expanded deal covers countries where Spotify is available today, as well as additional markets. The two companies look forward to collaborating on impactful global initiatives for Warner artists and songwriters, and working together to grow the music industry over the long term,” said a joint statement by the companies.

The Indian music streaming industry is highly competitive with over 10 different music streaming apps in the market including local big wigs like Gaana, JioSaavn and Wynk. However, the Swedish music streaming app has been fighting its way through with one hand tied behind its back.

The lawsuit by Warner Chappel
Three days ahead of its launch in India, Spotify’s grand entry into one of the biggest music streaming markets in the world was marred by a lawsuit by Warner Chappel — Warner Music Group’s local music publishing arm in February 2019.

The Swedish music streaming app argued that it was using an Indian law, which allowed radio stations to play music from Chappel, to provide songs on its platform. However, it had to pull out millions of songs from its library as Chappel filed an injunction against Spotify.

“WMG’s abusive behaviour would harm many non-Warner artists, labels and publisher, and prevent Spotify from competing in the market, leaving us no choice but to file for a statutory license,” the company told Business Insider at the time.

Blaise Fernandes, CEO of the Indian Music Industry (IMI), estimates that there are around 200 million people in India who are streaming music. While the demand for music is huge, people don’t want to dip into their pockets to listen to songs.

The disparity has made it hard for international giants to find their footing in India. This is true not just for Spotify but also other players like Apple and the newly-launched Resso.

See also:
Another thorn in Spotify’s side ahead of its India launch

People are making coronavirus and quarantine themed Spotify playlists

Spotify made its shuffle feature less random so that it would actually feel more random to listeners - here's why