Artist Partner Group Files Copyright Lawsuit Against Create Music Group Over Artist Poaching Claims
Artist Partner Group (APG) has filed a lawsuit against Create Music Group, alleging copyright violations and artist poaching. The lawsuit centers on multiple forms of alleged copyright infringement and contract interference.
Wooden gavel on brown surface
Key allegations in the lawsuit include:
- Unauthorized uploading of APG artists' songs to streaming services
- Illegal collection of royalties
- Deliberately approaching APG-signed artists with YouTube monetization deals
- Making false claims about APG's performance to lure artists away
Create Music Group has denied these allegations, stating they are "unfounded" and suggesting APG is struggling to adapt to the digital age.
This isn't Create's first legal challenge:
- In 2022, multiple executives reported instances of Create claiming YouTube royalties without proper rights
- In 2023, DigiGlo sued Create over alleged missing payments for over 400 works on YouTube
- The DigiGlo lawsuit remains ongoing
Create Music Group, founded in 2015, has built its reputation through YouTube royalties collection and owns several subsidiaries:
- Label Engine (music distributor)
- Flighthouse (TikTok-focused digital media studio)
- Majority stake in The Nations (YouTube collective)
The current lawsuit highlights ongoing tensions in the digital music industry, particularly regarding royalty collection and artist representation in the YouTube ecosystem.
Napster interface showing missing royalty payments
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