Four Tet scored a major win for artists in regards to streaming service royalties yesterday.
The UK-based artist has been in a legal battle with his former label, Domino Records, dating back to last summer. Four Tet originally sued Domino Records back in August of last year. He was claiming damages over the royalty rate for his albums produced for the label during the ’00s. Since the industry operated much differently back then due to the lack of digital streaming platforms, Four Tet wanted 50% of the royalties from streaming and downloads.
In response to the lawsuit, Domino removed all of his albums from streaming services and subsequently received vocal backlash from Four Tet, his fans, and other artists. Today, however, Four Tet can claim a victory, as Domino agreed to settle the case by recognizing his original claim. His albums have been reuploaded to streaming services.
Four Tet released a statement on social media, encouraging artists “who might feel intimidated by challenging a record label with substantial means.” You can check out the string of tweets from him below, reflecting on the situation now that it’s finally over.
I have a bodacious update on my case with @Dominorecordco. They have recognised my original claim, that I should be paid a 50% royalty on streaming and downloads, and that they should be treated as a license rather than the same as a CD or vinyl sale.
(1/8)— Four Tet (@FourTet) June 20, 2022
It has been a difficult and stressful experience to work my way through this court case and I’m so glad we got this positive result, but I feel hugely relieved that the process is over.
(2/8)— Four Tet (@FourTet) June 20, 2022
Hopefully I’ve opened up a constructive dialogue and maybe prompted others to push for a fairer deal on historical contracts, written at a time when the music industry operated entirely differently.
(3/8)— Four Tet (@FourTet) June 20, 2022
I really hope that my own course of action encourages anyone who might feel intimidated by challenging a record label with substantial means.
(4/8)— Four Tet (@FourTet) June 20, 2022
Unlike Domino, I didn’t work with a big law firm and luckily the case took place in the IPEC court (where legal costs are capped) so I was able to stand my ground.
(5/8)— Four Tet (@FourTet) June 20, 2022
Sadly Domino still own parts of my catalogue for life of copyright and would not give me an option to take back ownership.
(6/8)— Four Tet (@FourTet) June 20, 2022
I hope these types of life of copyright deals become extinct – the music industry isn’t definitive and given its evolutionary nature it seems crazy to me to try and institutionalise music in that way.
(7/8)— Four Tet (@FourTet) June 20, 2022
I feel so thankful for the people who worked with me on this, all of them understood my motivation, and I am truly grateful for all of the fans and artists who showed support for the intention here.
(8/8)— Four Tet (@FourTet) June 20, 2022