President Luis Lacalle Pou confirmed that the government is “in talks” with Spotify, after the streaming music platform notified its users of Uruguay who will leave the country as of February 1, 2024. “We are going to agree,” said the president.
The possibility that Spotify leaving the country has been contemplated before the approval of the Accountability Law, based on the modifications that, at that time, were proposed in terms of copyright. With the regulation of the law – which will come into force as of January 1, 2024 – and the application of what the Swedish company understands as “drastic changes”, the possibility became a reality.
Or, at least, that is what the platform communicated to its users, who found out by email and by opening the application that the Premium service will stop working as of January 1, while all Uruguayan accounts will be disabled since February 1.
Asked about it at a press conference from Long Hill, President Lacalle Pou He argued that, first of all, “you have to be balanced”. “We understand that it is a very important platform. In fact, this morning I received the notification that reached many,” he explained, but pointed out that “we also have to somehow take care of the interpreters, also the authors.”
The president’s comment was due to the fact that the Accountability Report incorporated modifications in the articles 284 and 285which imply the addition of social networks and the internet as other formats by which, if a song is reproduced, the performer has the right to a economic remuneration; and that “the agreements entered into by authors, composers, performers, directors and scriptwriters regarding their power of public communication and making phonograms and audiovisual recordings available to the public” have the right to a fair and equitable remuneration.
“We are in talks. We’re going to move forward, I hope so. “We are going to agree,” he said. Lacalle Pou.
The president’s statements are in line with what was advanced days ago by the Secretary of the Presidency Alvaro Delgado, who had announced that work was being done to prevent the departure of Spotify, but without giving further details. “I prefer to discuss it with you later when we advance a little further. We are having contact with all parties,” she declared.
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The users of Spotify in Uruguay This morning they found news in their emails and when they opened the application. And it was not the long-awaited wrapped, the summary that the platform makes of the year’s consumption for each person; but confirmation that the service will no longer be available from the first months of next year.
“We are contacting you to share important news about the service of Spotify in Uruguay. Unfortunately, Spotify will begin to gradually withdraw its service in Uruguay starting January 1, 2024, and service will completely cease in February“said the company, officially confirming what it had already announced on November 20 but which had been put on hold amid the government’s negotiations to find a solution.
The Swedish company insists that after the approval of the Accountability Law —particularly, modifications in copyright matters—, could end up having to pay twice for the same songs when it already pays almost 70% of every dollar it generates from music to the record labels and publishers that represent the artists and songwriters. “Our business of connecting artists and fans will be unsustainable,” he explained in the statement.
Service Spotify Premium He will be the first to disappear from the country. Those users who are subscribed will receive their last bill this month and, in turn, it will be the last in which they can take advantage of its benefits. “After this, you will go to a free account until the suspension of the service on February 1,” the company told its users.
“We understand that this news may be disappointing and we sincerely appreciate your understanding at this difficult time. Thank you for being part of the community Spotify. We hope to serve you again in the future,” the text concluded.
Source: Ambito
