A federal judge has ordered Spotify CEO Daniel Ek to be deposed in a copyright lawsuit over Eminem’s music, despite reportedly claiming he is too busy.
Ek additionally claimed that he is not involved in the “day-to-day” licensing operations at the streaming giant. He accused Eminem’s publishing company, Eight Mile Style, of doing little more than attempting to “harass and annoy” him.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffery S. Frensley ordered Ek to make time in Thursday’s ruling.
“Undoubtedly, Mr. Ek has a full schedule [and] the Court credits Spotify’s assertion that he is very busy indeed,” the judge wrote. “Yet, the issue of proper licensing relationships with the artists whose work comprises the entirety of Spotify’s business and its sole product is surely also a matter of importance to Spotify, worthy of some of Mr. Ek’s time and attention.”
The deposition is connected to a lawsuit Eight Mile Style filed back in 2019 over the streaming of Eminem’s catalog. The suit accuses Spotify of not obtaining the proper mechanical licenses.
A federal judge ruled in April of 2021 that the lawsuit could move forward. A trial is scheduled for September of 2023.
As for Ek, he will have to make time for the deposition. The judge will allow him to appear virtually and capped the testimony at three hours. However, the date of the deposition is currently unknown.
