Among the various big splashes made by key actors in the music industry this week, we tried to make up our minds on whether we’re going in the right direction or not. Discussions are obviously open and it feels like we have a lot to unveil in regulations, new status quo to rethink and deals to make.
#1. Lyricfind sues Musixmatch
Some heat coming our way in the lyric licensing field. LyricFind has filed a lawsuit against Musixmatch, claiming that its exclusive deal with Warner Chappell Music gives it a monopoly on supplying lyrics to streaming platforms. The lawsuit alleges that even if a DSP has a direct license with Warner Chappell, it must source lyrics from Musixmatch—effectively making them the industry’s gatekeeper.
LyricFind also claims that this deal cost them major contracts, including a “tens of millions of dollars” agreement with Spotify and a forced price hike for iHeartRadio. Musixmatch has dismissed the allegations as “meritless,” focusing instead on its track record of providing high-quality lyric services.
This lawsuit could reshape how lyrics are licensed and accessed by streaming platforms, setting the stage for a major legal showdown in the industry.
#2. YouTube reaches 125M subscribers, the fastest growing streaming platform
YouTube just crossed a major milestone: 125 million paid subscribers, thanks mainly to its dominance in emerging markets like India and South America. Unlike Western markets, where streaming is segmented by content type and platform, mobile-first cultures in these regions consume entertainment more blended, seamlessly integrating music, video, gaming, and social media.
This is great for YouTube, which profited from its accessibility, ad-supported model, and flexibility across formats, while traditional streaming services struggled to keep up. With Spanish-speaking creators leading Twitch engagement and Latin music booming via YouTube, the platform continues to push cultural trends at a high level.
#3. Rimas Entertainment Acquires Stake in Dale Play Records
Rimas Entertainment, home to Bad Bunny, has acquired a “significant” stake in Argentina-based Dale Play Records, the label behind Latin music powerhouse Bizarrap. Doing so, Rimas is strengthening its global presence, adding Dale Play’s operations in Argentina, Mexico, Spain, and Uruguay to its existing reach.
The partnership, backed by Sony Music, reflects a shared vision to keep pushing Latin music worldwide. With both labels committed to creative freedom, this deal is expected to fuel new opportunities for artists like Duki, Nicki Nicole, Arcángel, and Quevedo. Expect more Latin hits to dominate global charts!
#4. Apple Aiming to Expand Accessibility in Music Streaming
Apple’s Music Haptics is looking to enhance accessibility in music streaming by using the iPhone’s Taptic Engine to create synchronized vibrations, textures, and taps that correspond with audio playback. Designed primarily for individuals with hearing loss, the feature is also available to all users on millions of Apple Music tracks and as an API for developers.
Apple describes Music Haptics as part of its broader mission to make technology more inclusive, emphasizing that it was co-developed with members of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. Some early feedback from artists and users suggests that the feature adds a new sensory layer to music, while others note that its long-term impact on accessibility and mainstream adoption remains to be seen.
#5. Clearly the public is on the creators’ side on AI-training battles
A new protest album, Is This What We Want?, backed by over 1,000 artists, is drawing attention to the UK government’s proposed AI copyright reforms. At the heart of the debate is whether AI companies should be allowed to train their models on commercial music unless rightsholders actively opt out.
AI-music pioneer Ed Newton-Rex, a vocal advocate for creator rights, argues that the proposed "opt-out" system is unworkable and unfair to musicians. He warns that some AI firms, backed by venture capital, prioritize speed and scale over ethical licensing, while lobbying for weaker copyright laws.
The public, he notes, overwhelmingly supports creators in this fight. As AI continues to evolve, the music industry is pushing for stronger protections to ensure artists maintain control over their work in the age of machine learning.
