Spotify license?

[sparkeh]

So the inevitable has happened and people are asking about Spotify.

I had a gander at the licence and there are a couple of things I am not sure/happy about.

Spotify grants you a limited, non-exclusive, revocable license to make personal non-commercial use

Does this immediately rule schools out?

Spotify has a right to allow the Spotify Software Application and the Spotify Service to utilize the processor, bandwidth and storage hardware on your computer or other relevant device for the limited purpose of facilitating the communication and transmission of content and other data or features to you and other users of the Spotify Software Application and the Spotify Service, and to facilitate the operation of the network on which the Spotify Software Application and the Spotify Service runs.

Does this mean that Spotify is basically using our resources to for the benefit the Spotify network as a whole and deliver ads and such like to other users of the service?

[powdarrmonkey]

So the inevitable has happened and people are asking about Spotify.

I had a gander at the licence and there are a couple of things I am not sure/happy about.



Does this immediately rule schools out?

I am not a lawyer, but that's how I read this.

Does this mean that Spotify is basically using our resources to for the benefit the Spotify network as a whole and deliver ads and such like to other users of the service?

I believe it builds effectively a P2P mesh between users, to make it generally better for everybody. Of course, that means you sacrifice some upload throughput to it.

[enjay]

Can I ask where you're quoting that from? I can't find it...

[sparkeh]

Spotify EULA

[enjay]

Thanks.

It does say personal non-commercial use, which could be taken to include educational/charitable non-commercial use too. Or it might not!

Another issue I've just found with Spotify is that it seems to fail login once a newer version has been released, which would be annoying (if not prohibitive) in our environment...

[Domino]

I'd say you'd be questionable at best.

the original quoted text, in line with

For the avoidance of doubt, you agree that you may not (without limitation):

copy, reproduce, “rip”, record, make available to the public or otherwise use any part of the Spotify Software Application or the Spotify Service or its content (including but not limited to tracks, images and text) in a manner not expressly permitted under this Agreement;

makes it seem its for explicit personal use only.


and of course, you'd need the relevant PRS licences in any case...

[enjay]

We have the necessary licences already anyway. I do take your point about the clause preventing use not explicitly permitted though.

Looks like I should remove this application from my list then. Shame.

[rogerblue]

it's peer to peer networking really and even if it wasn't will weigh heavily on your network traffic, teachers seem obsessed with playing music for the kids at any oportunity, except when ofsted are in (funny that)

and spotify don't work on the YHGfL connection.

[flyinghaggis]

Just had one of our staff asking about it but it looks like as far as Spotify themselves are concerned the service is only for personal use :-

Can I use Spotify to play music in my bar, restaurant, store, school etc? - Spotify

"Can I use Spotify to play music in my bar, restaurant, store, school etc?
No, the Terms & Conditions that you agree to when registering for Spotify states that Spotify is for personal, non-commercial use.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"

[RobFuller]

Grooveshark - Listen to Free Music Online - Internet Radio - Free MP3 Streaming alternative?

[powdarrmonkey]

Grooveshark - Listen to Free Music Online - Internet Radio - Free MP3 Streaming alternative?

No. http://grooveshark.com/terms:

EMG grants you a limited license to access and make personal use of the Service.

[flyinghaggis]

In fact YouTube, We7, etc all pretty much state that their service is for "personal non-commerial use".

Sounds like we'd be breaking the law for accessing and using pretty much and streaming media website in school?

<Opens can of worms......!>

[enjay]

"Non-commercial" doesn't prohibit use in schools.

[flyinghaggis]

"Non-commercial" doesn't prohibit use in schools.

Possibly but but playing back a video/audio clip to a classroom full of pupils definitely isn't going to be covered by "personal use"!

[powdarrmonkey]

"Non-commercial" doesn't prohibit use in schools.

"Personal" does.