Believe, a leading digital music distribution company, has issued a strong response to a major copyright infringement lawsuit filed against it and its subsidiary TuneCore by Universal Music Group, ABKCO, and Concord Music Group. The lawsuit alleges that Believe has built its business through "industrial-scale copyright infringement" of "the world's most popular copyrighted recordings." Believe has firmly refuted these claims and vowed to fight them vigorously.

Defending the Integrity of the Digital Music Ecosystem

Robust Tools and Processes to Tackle Industry-Wide Challenges

Believe and TuneCore have emphasized their commitment to respecting copyrights and have developed robust tools and processes to address the industry-wide challenge of unauthorized content distribution. The companies have stated that they work collaboratively with partners and peers to tackle this issue, and they will continue to do so. Believe's spokesperson has reiterated the company's long-standing role in supporting the development of independent artists and labels, and its recognition as a Tier 1 partner and inclusion in the Preferred Partner Program across major music stores.

Defending Against Unfounded Allegations

Believe and TuneCore have strongly refuted the claims made by Universal Music Group, ABKCO, and Concord Music Group, stating that they will fight these allegations. The companies have maintained that they do not comment on pending litigation, but they have made it clear that they take the respect of copyright very seriously. Believe's spokesperson has emphasized the company's commitment to working with artists and labels around the world and its dedication to upholding the integrity of the digital music ecosystem.

Addressing the Concerns over "Manipulated" Audio

The lawsuit filed by Universal Music Group, ABKCO, and Concord Music Group focuses in part on the dissemination of so-called "manipulated" audio, such as "sped up" or "remixed" versions of original recordings by popular artists. The plaintiffs allege that Believe has achieved significant growth by acting as a hub for distributing these unauthorized copies of copyrighted recordings to major platforms like TikTok, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, and Instagram. Believe has not directly addressed these specific allegations, but has emphasized its commitment to tackling industry-wide challenges through collaborative efforts.

Potential Precedents and Implications

The lawsuit against Believe emerges against the backdrop of growing concerns over unauthorized "modified" tracks, particularly on platforms like TikTok. It follows UMG's recent confrontation with ByteDance, involving 37,000 takedown requests affecting over 120 million TikTok videos earlier this year. The case also builds on a potential precedent from Sony Music's case against an artist called Trefuego in April over his track, 90mh, which was based around a sped-up sample of a copyrighted composition. These developments highlight the complex and evolving landscape of distributor liability in the digital streaming age, and the ongoing efforts to protect the rights of copyright holders.

Seeking Substantial Damages

Universal Music Group, ABKCO, and Concord Music Group are seeking damages of at least $500 million from Believe, alleging that the company's "illegal practices" have not been limited to cheating artists on major labels, but have also affected artists on independent labels. The plaintiffs have described Believe as a company "built on industrial-scale copyright infringement," and have vowed to hold the company accountable for its actions.In conclusion, the copyright infringement lawsuit against Believe has sparked a high-stakes battle in the digital music industry, with the outcome potentially setting important precedents and shaping the future of content distribution and copyright protection in the streaming era. Believe's resolute stance in defending its practices and upholding the integrity of the ecosystem will be closely watched by industry stakeholders as this legal dispute unfolds.