[vintermann]

What use is market power when the big three have lawsuit power? Spotify operates on their mercy. The only reason they haven't destroyed it is that they own a sizable chunk of it. And let's be clear, Ek is fine with this arrangement.

Spotify could (and should) "rebalance the scales" with per-user licensing, rather than per-play licensing. That would reward the music that's actually keeping users subscribed, rather than makers of replaceable background music that plays 12/6 in some hair salon.

But last time there was a push for that, the (big three) labels stopped it. Now, the labels claim to be open to it but Spotify is resisting it - I think it may be the labels yanking the chain still.