Sony and Universal Target Unauthorized Streamer in Canada
Global music industry heavyweights Sony Music Group and Universal Music Group have initiated joint legal proceedings in Canada targeting the developers of Musi, a streaming application that utilizes YouTube content without authorization. The legal action, coordinated by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) alongside its national group Music Canada, alleges that the streaming service distributes copyright-protected sound recordings to the public without authorization and intentionally bypasses technical safeguards implemented by YouTube.
The lawsuit places pressure on un-licensed platforms that mimic legitimate streaming apps by offering ad-supported and subscription models without paying royalties to artists or rights holders. According to the recorded music industry, Musi built its platform by relying on unauthorised access to copyright-protected content on third-party platforms, undercutting the legal market while generating revenue through its own advertising.
The Lingering Threat of Sideloaded Software
Although Apple removed Musi from its App Store in September 2024 following copyright infringement complaints filed by rights holders and YouTube, the app remains accessible for users who downloaded it prior to its removal. The ongoing accessibility of the application has prompted industry leaders to demand swifter and more effective action from app stores facilitating access to these apps to block or remove them.
The litigation highlights a broader campaign by record labels and trade associations to eliminate unauthorized streaming tools from digital marketplaces. Industry executives argue that mobile app stores share responsibility for hosting services that violate intellectual property laws and terms of service agreements.
Industry Executives Demand Accountability From App Stores
Victoria Oakley, CEO of the IFPI, stated that the organization is serving notice on parasitic apps engineered specifically to exploit artists and their music and undermine legitimate music services. Oakley emphasized that illegal services have no place in today’s music ecosystem built on the premise of empowering innovation through licensing, adding that the current legal challenge is an important step and she hopes it will be further supported by effective, direct action from mobile app stores and the music services being directly exploited by these apps.
Patrick Rogers, CEO of Music Canada, echoed those sentiments, asserting that services designed to circumvent platform protections and exploit music without authorization are not legitimate businesses. Rogers maintained that coordinated action is necessary to ensure artists are paid when their music is played.
From Dragons’ Den to the Courtroom
Musi previously pitched itself as a startup success story on reality TV show Dragons’ Den. However, reports have shown that its legitimacy has been questioned in the past.
Following Apple’s decision to remove the app from its app store in 2024, the application’s developers filed a lawsuit against Apple. That legal challenge was dismissed earlier this year, clearing the path for broader copyright litigation from the recorded music sector.
Representatives for the developers of Musi have not yet filed a formal response in the Canadian court proceedings. Rights holders continue to urge consumers to utilize authorized streaming platforms that properly license content and compensate artists.