Spotify evaluates each claim and may remove content or block it in some countries
Spotify reviews claims received through the channels the policy describes: the web form, or for copyright the designated copyright agent. When it receives a claim, Spotify evaluates it and takes what it considers appropriate action, which may include removing the reported content or disabling access to it in one or more specific countries. Content that infringes another's copyright or trademark may be removed.
Supporting quotations
Spotify reviews claims that are received through the channels identified above.
When we receive a claim, we'll evaluate it and take appropriate action, which may include removing the reported content or disabling access in a specific country (or countries).
Any content that infringes on another's copyright or trademark may be removed.
If you are a copyright holder, or their agent, and you believe that any material available via the Spotify Services infringes your copyrighted work, please use [this web form](https://support.spotify.com/report-content/) to submit a notice of alleged copyright infringement.
Alternatively, a notice of alleged copyright infringement may be sent to Spotify's designated copyright agent at the following address, with the following information:
If you are a trademark holder, or their agent, and you believe content available on the Spotify Services infringes your trademark rights, please use [this web form](https://support.spotify.com/report-content/) to submit a notice of alleged trademark infringement.
Qualifications & exceptions
Spotify decides what action is "appropriate"; removal and country-specific blocking are examples ("may include"), not the only or required outcomes.
Infringing content "may be removed"; the policy does not promise removal in every case.
Blocking can be limited to a specific country or countries rather than applying everywhere.
Not stated here
The criteria Spotify uses to evaluate a claim, including how it weighs fair use or other exceptions, are not stated.
No time frame for reviewing a claim is given.
Content & IP Rights · Company practice
Spotify may contact the claimant and the uploader about a claim
Spotify may communicate with both the claimant and the user or creator who provided the content about the action it takes, about a decision not to take action, or when it needs more information to assess the claim.
Supporting quotations
We may communicate with the claimant and the user or creator who provided the content regarding the action(s) we take, if we choose to not take action, or if we need further information to assess the claim.
Qualifications & exceptions
"May communicate": the policy does not promise that the claimant or the uploader will always be told about an action or a decision.
Not stated here
When Spotify chooses to communicate, and through which channel, is not stated in this sentence.
Content & IP Rights · User right or choice
You may be able to appeal if your content or account was actioned by mistake
If you believe your content or account was mistakenly actioned, or you want Spotify to review its decision on your claim again, you may have an opportunity to submit an appeal. Instructions for appealing are in the email Spotify sends you about the claim.
Supporting quotations
If you believe your content or account has been mistakenly actioned, or if you would like to request another review of Spotify's decision on your claim, you may have an opportunity to submit an appeal.
Instructions concerning how to appeal are contained in the email correspondence we will send you regarding the claim.
Qualifications & exceptions
The appeal is framed as something you "may have an opportunity" to do; the policy does not guarantee an appeal in every case.
It covers both the person whose content or account was actioned and a claimant asking for another review of the decision on their claim.
Appeal instructions are given only in Spotify's email correspondence about the claim, not in this policy.
Not stated here
Deadlines, who reviews an appeal and what happens if no email was received are not stated.
Spotify also uses automated and manual signals to find and remove possibly infringing content
Besides reports from users and rights holders, Spotify uses a combination of automated and manual signals to detect and remove content that may infringe someone else's intellectual property. It says it is continuously evolving these efforts to protect creators' intellectual property.
Supporting quotations
In addition to reports from users and rights holders, we leverage a combination of automated and manual signals to detect and remove content that may infringe on another's intellectual property.
We are continuously evolving our efforts to protect the intellectual property of creators.
Qualifications & exceptions
Detection is not limited to claims: content can be removed based on Spotify's own automated and manual signals.
The target is content that "may infringe"; removal can happen without a rights holder's report.
Not stated here
What signals or tools are used, and whether removals found this way count under the repeat-infringer policy or can be appealed, are not stated.
Content & IP Rights · Context
This policy explains how Spotify handles intellectual property infringement claims
Spotify's Intellectual Property Policy describes how Spotify handles claims that something on its websites, applications and services (together called the "Spotify Services") infringes someone's intellectual property. It covers copyright and trademark claims: how to report them and what Spotify does after receiving one. The saved page shows no effective or last-updated date.
Supporting quotations
Spotify Intellectual Property Policy
This Intellectual Property Policy describes how we handle claims of intellectual property infringement on Spotify's websites, applications and services (the "Spotify Services").
Qualifications & exceptions
The policy covers claims about the Spotify Services as it defines them: Spotify's websites, applications and services.
Only copyright and trademark are addressed; the page sets out no process for other kinds of intellectual property.
Not stated here
The saved text states no effective date, version or region, so when this wording took effect is not known from the source.
Linked documents (the User Guidelines, the reporting web form and the Trademark Guidelines) were not supplied and are not analyzed here.
Content & IP Rights · Restriction or exception
Users must follow the User Guidelines and the law and respect others' rights
When using the Spotify Services, users must comply with the Spotify User Guidelines and all applicable laws, rules and regulations, and must respect the intellectual property, privacy and other rights of third parties. Spotify states that it respects intellectual property rights and expects users to do the same.
Supporting quotations
Spotify respects intellectual property rights and expects its users to do the same.
In using the Spotify Services, users must comply with the [Spotify User Guidelines](http://spotify.com/legal/user-guidelines), as well as all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and respect the intellectual property, privacy, and other rights of third parties.
Qualifications & exceptions
The duty is not limited to intellectual property: it also covers privacy and other third-party rights, and compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations.
The Spotify User Guidelines are incorporated only by a link; their content was not supplied and is not described here.
Not stated here
What the Spotify User Guidelines require is not stated in this source.
Content & IP Rights · Context
What copyright protects, and what it generally does not
The policy explains copyright as a legal right that protects original works of authorship, such as music, artwork and books. A copyright owner has exclusive rights to certain uses, including copying, distributing and displaying the work. Copyright generally protects original expression, not facts or ideas, and generally does not protect names, titles or slogans, though trademark may apply to those instead.
Supporting quotations
What is copyright
Copyright is a legal right that seeks to protect original works of authorship (e.g., music, artwork, books).
The owner of a copyright has the exclusive right to make certain uses of a creative work including copying, distributing, and displaying that work.
Generally, copyright protects original expression; it does not protect facts and ideas.
Copyright also generally doesn't protect things such as names, titles and slogans; however, another legal right called a trademark may apply (see below).
Qualifications & exceptions
This is a general explanation using "generally"; it is not a statement of how any particular country's law applies.
For names, titles and slogans the policy points to trademark as a possible separate right.
Content & IP Rights · Context
In certain countries, fair use of a copyrighted work may be allowed without the owner's permission
The policy notes that copyright has exceptions. As an example, in certain countries someone who does not hold the rights may be allowed to use a copyrighted work if the use is fair, such as for review, critique or parody.
Supporting quotations
There are some exceptions to copyright.
For example, in certain countries, a non-rights holder may be allowed to use another's copyright if that use is fair, such as for the purposes of review, critique, or parody.
Qualifications & exceptions
Only "in certain countries"; the policy does not name them.
"May be allowed": the policy does not say Spotify will treat any particular review, critique or parody as fair, or how it weighs fair use when handling a claim.
Not stated here
Which countries the example refers to, and what other copyright exceptions exist, are not stated.
Content & IP Rights · Procedure
Copyright holders report infringement through a web form or to Spotify's copyright agent
If you hold a copyright, or act as the holder's agent, and believe material available through the Spotify Services infringes your work, Spotify asks you to submit a notice of alleged copyright infringement through its web form. As an alternative, you may send the notice to Spotify's designated copyright agent: Spotify USA Inc., Attn: Legal Department, Copyright Agent, at the listed New York address or at infringement-claim@spotify.com. A notice sent this way is to include the information the policy lists; without it, Spotify says it may not have enough to process the claim.
Supporting quotations
How to report copyright infringement
If you are a copyright holder, or their agent, and you believe that any material available via the Spotify Services infringes your copyrighted work, please use [this web form](https://support.spotify.com/report-content/) to submit a notice of alleged copyright infringement.
Alternatively, a notice of alleged copyright infringement may be sent to Spotify's designated copyright agent at the following address, with the following information:
Spotify's designated copyright agent can be reached as follows:
Spotify USA Inc.
Attn: Legal Department, Copyright Agent
4 World Trade Center, 150 Greenwich Street, 62nd Floor, NewYork, NY 10007
infringement-claim@spotify.com
Qualifications & exceptions
Only copyright holders or their agents are invited to use this process.
The list of required information is introduced for the alternative route to the copyright agent; what the web form itself asks for is not shown in this source.
The address is quoted as published, including "NewYork" written as one word.
Not stated here
The web form is only linked; its fields and terms were not supplied.
Content & IP Rights · Procedure
A notice to the copyright agent should include seven listed items
A copyright notice sent to Spotify's copyright agent should include: (1) identification of each copyrighted work claimed to be infringed; (2) where the allegedly infringing material is on the Spotify Services or websites, as detailed as possible, with a URL; (3) the complaining party's contact information, such as full name, address, telephone number and email; (4) a statement of good-faith belief that the use is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent or the law (such as fair use); (5) a statement that the notice is accurate and, under penalty of perjury, that the complaining party is the owner or the owner's agent; (6) a physical or electronic signature of the owner or an authorized person; and (7) a statement that you understand your contact information and/or notice will be given to the alleged infringer and kept as long as legally required. Without this information, Spotify may not have enough to process the claim.
Supporting quotations
Specific identification of each copyrighted work claimed to have been infringed;
A description of where the material believed to be infringing is located on the Spotify Services or the Spotify Websites (please be as detailed as possible and provide a URL to help us locate the material you are reporting);
Contact information for the complaining party, such as a complete name, address, telephone number, and email address;
A statement that the complaining party has a good faith belief that use of the work(s) in the manner complained of is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law (such as fair use); and
A statement that the information in the notification is accurate, and under penalty of perjury, the complaining party is the owner of the right that is allegedly infringed, or agent for the owner.
A physical or electronic signature of the owner (or person authorized to act on behalf of the owner) of the copyright that is allegedly infringed; and
A statement that you understand that your contact information and/or notice will be provided to the alleged infringing party, and retained as long as required for legal purposes.
Without the above, we may not have sufficient information to process your claim.
Qualifications & exceptions
The penalty-of-perjury statement covers the accuracy of the notice and the claimant's ownership or agency.
Spotify says that without the listed items it "may not" have sufficient information to process the claim; it does not say an incomplete notice will always be rejected.
As published, the word "and" ends the fourth item although three more items follow; the list is read here as seven items in the order shown.
Not stated here
Whether the same items are required when the web form is used is not stated in this source.
Sharing & Disclosure · Company practice
Spotify may give your name and email to the person you report and keep your claim information
When you submit a copyright or trademark claim, Spotify may pass your name and email address to the allegedly infringing party and keep your information for as long as required for legal purposes. For a copyright notice sent to the copyright agent, the listed contents also ask the claimant to state that they understand their contact information and/or the notice itself will be provided to the alleged infringer.
Supporting quotations
When you submit a copyright claim, Spotify may pass your name and email address to the allegedly infringing party, and retain your information as long as required for legal purposes.
Spotify may pass your name and email address to the allegedly infringing party, and retain your information as long as required for legal purposes.
A statement that you understand that your contact information and/or notice will be provided to the alleged infringing party, and retained as long as required for legal purposes.
Qualifications & exceptions
The two passages differ in scope: the general statements say Spotify "may pass your name and email address", while the required copyright-notice acknowledgment says your "contact information and/or notice will be provided", which can include the address and telephone number the notice asks for.
Retention is limited to "as long as required for legal purposes"; no specific period is given.
Not stated here
How long "as long as required for legal purposes" lasts in practice is not stated.
Account & Service Control · Restriction or exception
Fraudulent or abusive reports may lead to account termination or legal consequences
Spotify warns that fraudulent reports or other misuse of the copyright claims process may result in termination of your account and/or legal consequences. It suggests you may wish to consult an attorney before submitting a claim.
Supporting quotations
Please note, fraudulent reports or other misuse of this process may result in the termination of your account and/or legal consequences.
You may wish to consult an attorney before submitting a claim.
Qualifications & exceptions
"May result": termination or legal consequences are possible outcomes, not automatic ones.
The warning appears in the copyright section; the trademark section does not repeat it.
Not stated here
What counts as "other misuse of this process" is not defined.
Account & Service Control · Company practice
Accounts of repeat infringers may be terminated, adjusted for reinstated content
Spotify has a policy to terminate, in appropriate circumstances, the accounts of repeat infringers, stated for both copyright and trademark. Section 4 explains that a user or creator responsible for multiple violations may have their account terminated, and that if content is reinstated after an appeal or because a rights holder retracts a claim, the repeat-infringer policy will reflect that.
Supporting quotations
Spotify also has a policy to terminate, in appropriate circumstances, the accounts of repeat infringers.
Spotify also has a policy to terminate, in appropriate circumstances, the accounts of repeat infringers.
Spotify also has a repeat infringer policy, meaning that a user or creator responsible for multiple violations may have their account terminated.
If content is reinstated following an appeal or because a rights holder is retracting a claim, our repeat infringer policy will reflect that accordingly.
Qualifications & exceptions
Termination happens only "in appropriate circumstances" and "may" follow multiple violations; it is not automatic.
Reinstated content, after an appeal or a rights holder's retraction, is reflected in how the repeat-infringer policy applies.
Not stated here
How many violations make someone a repeat infringer, and what the "appropriate circumstances" are, are not stated.
Content & IP Rights · Context
What a trademark is, and Spotify's separate Trademark Guidelines
The policy explains a trademark as a word, slogan, symbol or design, such as a brand name or logo, that distinguishes one person's, group's or company's products or services from another's. Trademark law generally aims to prevent consumer confusion about who provides or is affiliated with a product or service. The section also links to separate Spotify Trademark Guidelines.
Supporting quotations
What is trademark
A trademark is a word, slogan, symbol or design (e.g., brandname, logo) that distinguishes the products or services offered by one person, group, or company from another.
Generally, trademark law seeks to prevent confusion among consumers about who provides or is affiliated with a product or service.
This is a general description; the statement of trademark law's aim is introduced with "Generally" and does not describe any specific law.
The Spotify Trademark Guidelines are only linked; their content was not supplied.
Not stated here
What the Spotify Trademark Guidelines say is not known from this source.
Content & IP Rights · Procedure
Trademark holders report infringement through Spotify's web form
If you hold a trademark, or act as the holder's agent, and believe content on the Spotify Services infringes your trademark rights, Spotify asks you to submit a notice of alleged trademark infringement through its web form. Unlike the copyright section, the trademark section names no mailing or email alternative and lists no required notice contents.
Supporting quotations
How to report trademark infringement
If you are a trademark holder, or their agent, and you believe content available on the Spotify Services infringes your trademark rights, please use [this web form](https://support.spotify.com/report-content/) to submit a notice of alleged trademark infringement.
Qualifications & exceptions
Only trademark holders or their agents are invited to use this process.
The trademark section gives only the web form as the reporting channel.
Not stated here
The web form is only linked; what information it requires for trademark claims was not supplied.