Apple under fire for the way it runs its App Store? But this time, it’s nothing to do with Spotify.
A group of Japanese music-industry bodies representing labels, publishers and producers have written to Apple expressing concerns about ‘unauthorised’ (i.e. unlicensed) music-streaming apps that are available through its App Store in Japan.
“The recent torrent of Unauthorised Music Apps flooding the industry is enabling users to listen to music for free, resulting in these app operators to gain unfair profits through advertising sales,” claimed the group, according to TorrentFreak. “These operators are not only committing copyright infringement, but also stealing profit from the music’s rightful copyright owners and legitimate service providers—profit that they would have otherwise gained through CD sales, downloads, and streaming.”
Labels body the RIAJ has asked Apple if it can be involved in the approvals process for new music apps, to help Apple spot unlicensed apps that have previously been removed, but are trying to go back up under new names. Apple has yet to respond publicly.
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