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# MUST READ: Sony Music’s Contract With Spotify
- URL: https://www.hypebot.com/must-read-sony-musics-contract-with-spotify/
- Published: 2015-05-19T16:13:12.000Z
- Updated: 2015-05-19T16:13:12.000Z
- Description: The Verge has obtained a copy of what it says was Sony Music's 2012-2013 contract with Spotify. The contract, which appears genuine, offers a unique glimpse in to the major. Continue reading [https://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2015/05/must-read-sony-musics-contract-with-spotify.html]
- Author: Bruce Houghton
- Tags: Major Labels, Music Business, Streaming, Apple Inc., Charles Caldas, Digital Music News, Doug Morris, iTunes, record label, Sony Music Entertainment, Spotify, Universal Music Group, YouTube, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-01-21 10:28

[![bomb](http://hypebot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451b36c69e201bb08310c79970d-150wi "bomb")](http://hypebot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451b36c69e201bb08310c79970d-popup?ref=hypebot.com)The Verge has obtained a copy of what it says was **Sony Music's 2012-2013 contract with Spotify.** The contract, which appears genuine, offers a **unique glimpse in to the major labels relationship with Spotify**.

A leaked contract between Sony Music and Spotify includes details of advances of up to $42.5 million, Spotify's charging 15% off the top of a very complex ad revenue formula, and a favored nations clause that kept Sony payments on par with its rivals.

Another intriguing tidbit:

**Sony Music was given $9 million in free ad spots on Spotify which it could sell for profit.**

Normally we'd summarize the contract and The Verge's analysis. This is so important and informative enough that we encourage **read it in its entirety [here](http://www.theverge.com/2015/5/19/8621581/sony-music-spotify-contract?ref=hypebot.com).**

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