DistroKid Pulls Tracks After UMG Copyright Lawsuit, Artists Cry Foul
DistroKid pulled songs from streaming platforms after Universal Music Group filed a copyright lawsuit against the distributor. Many independent artists said their own recordings were removed and their royalties frozen, even though they were not told what allegedly infringed. Nashville singer-songwriter Josh Sahunta described his album Mellowdrama being taken down and receiving a copyright strike.
Nashville singer-songwriter Josh Sahunta discovered his 2022 album Mellowdrama had vanished from Spotify after a collaborator asked why he had taken it down. The record later disappeared from Apple Music, YouTube, and other services. DistroKid support told him the album was flagged for infringement but did not identify the allegedly copied work or the claimant. The company issued a strike, froze his royalties, and raised concerns about future releases. Other independent artists reported similar removals.
DistroKid said only a small number of recordings were pulled in response to Universal Music Group claims. UMG sued the distributor in September, alleging misleading business conduct and infringement, including claims that artificial-intelligence-generated material was flooding platforms. UMG did not immediately comment.
The removals could deepen distrust among independent musicians who rely on distributors for income and release access. If legitimate tracks are caught in broad enforcement, artists may lose royalties, momentum, and audience reach while they appeal. Listeners might also find catalogs suddenly incomplete. The dispute may push some creators toward alternative distributors or clearer takedown procedures, though the full scale remains unclear.