Spotify files DMCA complaint against ReVanced

Spotify has complained to Github about the ReVanced tool hosted there, which can be used to unlock premium features in the Spotify app. In a DMCA complaint published by ReVanced, the Swedish music streaming service asks Github to delete the ReVanced patch in question as it violates copyright law.

ReVanced is an open source project developed by the community that was launched after the YouTube Vanced app was discontinued. At its core, ReVanced is a collection of individual patches for various app APKs that can be used to unlock functions that are usually only available to subscribers or premium customers.

Advertising deactivated via patch

The Spotify patch in question is supposed to make it possible to play songs on demand and disable advertising on the streaming service – Features that users without a subscription cannot typically use. This is a thorn in Spotify's side: "The aforementioned files were created by unauthorized copying of Spotify's copyrights and/or are unauthorized derivative works of Spotify's copyrights," the DMCA complaint states. According to Spotify, the files therefore directly infringe the company's copyright.

The ReVanced team is not convinced: the ReVanced app does not copy Spotify's code, the developers argue in a blog post. They are currently looking for legal assistance to possibly defend themselves against Spotify's DMCA complaint. The team would like to wait for legal advice before deciding on a further course of action.

Spotify's premium subscription has also recently become pricier in Germany. In the future, the "Premium Individual" subscription will cost 13 euros per month. The "Duo" tariff for two people will now cost 18 euros, the "Family" subscription 22 euros. Students pay 7 euros per month. Spotify is also offering existing customers a discounted basic subscription without audiobooks and lossless streaming.

(dahe)