IFPI, the organization that represents the recorded music industry worldwide, and its Brazilian national group, Pro-Música Brasil, have announced a series of successful actions against streaming manipulation sites in Brazil.
Streaming manipulation involves the creation of artificial ‘plays’ on digital music streaming services that do not represent genuine listening.
Following a coordinated approach from Pro-Música Brasil, Brazilian anti-piracy body APDIF, and the Brazilian police, the operator of turbosocial.com.br has removed all music streaming manipulation services.
This announcement follows the news in August that five ‘fake stream’ sites were forced to cease operation by court injunctions in Germany.
Several affiliated sites have also stopped offering music streaming manipulation services (social10.com.br; paineldecurtidas.com.br; instaautomatico.com.br; curtidasface.com.br; conseguirseguidores.com; www.instacurtidas.com.br).
The operator has agreed to refrain from re-starting any music streaming manipulation services in the future.
Six additional sites, unrelated to turbosocial.com.br, withdrew music streaming manipulation services as a result of ‘cease and desist’ letters from Pro-Música Brasil and APDIF (impulsioneme.com; shopmmarketing.com; gramsocial.com.br; igmidias.com; infinitegrowmarketingdigital.com and boommarketingdigital.com).
A seventh site voluntarily removed its service.
“Streaming manipulation must not be allowed to undermine these developments by depriving creators of revenue and misleading consumers.”
Frances Moore, IFPI
Frances Moore, chief executive of IFPI, said: “Brazil’s vibrant and streaming-led music market is providing increasingly exciting and diverse opportunities for its artists and fans to share and enjoy music.
“Streaming manipulation must not be allowed to undermine these developments by depriving creators of revenue and misleading consumers.
“These actions demonstrate the global recording industry’s continuing commitment to fighting back against this practice, which harms the entire music ecosystem. We commend the police and Pro-Música Brasil for their work and cooperation on this positive outcome.”
“These are positive developments for Brazil’s music community and the first time we have seen successful action against streaming manipulation sites in the country.”
Paulo Rosa, Pro-Música Brasil
Paulo Rosa, Director, Pro-Música Brasil, added: “These are positive developments for Brazil’s music community and the first time we have seen successful action against streaming manipulation sites in the country.
“We would like to thank the police for their work and cooperation on these cases.
“Streaming manipulation diverts revenues away from artists and damages the credibility of digital platforms and charts.
“For the industry in Brazil to truly combat this practice we need the full cooperation of the entire music ecosystem, from labels to streaming services, to law enforcement.”Music Business Worldwide
