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Critics Allege Spotify, Google Use Astroturf Groups to Advocate for Unlimited, Ad-Supported Free Streaming

Chatterers are chattering about stories on The Trichordist and other places hinting that Spotify and Google have been using two U.K. “artist rights” orgs as puppets to counter music-biz criticism of unlimited free streaming (aka “freemium”).

It’s said these two entities, the Music Managers Forum and sister org the Featured Artist Coalition, had previously been fierce mouthpieces for artists’ rights but had lately begun to parrot Spotify’s own PR about streaming. The implication is that Spotify and Google (which has a seat on Spotify’s board, often an indicator of investment) are using the FAC and MMF as “astroturf” organizations to evangelize for freemium.

Google sells ads not only on YouTube but also on Spotify’s free tier.

FAC even hooked up with Spotify for a sort of junket in NYC, Nashville and L.A., inviting artists “to explore and challenge business models … in a casual environment.”

And if you’re still awake by this point in our explanation, you’re drinking too much coffee.

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