Skip to main content

Petition: Demand that Musixmatch Respects Songwriters' Rights and Distribute Their Lyrics for Free


Musicians and songwriters all over the world are deeply upset by Musixmatch's latest policy changes! All of the lyrics you see on Spotify come from Musixmatch, and artists could submit them for free for years… until now! 

A policy change that negatively affects every singer/songwriter that releases music to digital streaming platforms, such as Spotify, and all users of streaming services who pay premium monthly subscriptions that include the song lyrics.

The petition: https://www.change.org/musixmatch-limiting-songwriters-exclusive-rights-to-distribute-lyrics

Musixmatch recently made changes that now requires all artists to purchase a Musixmatch Pro subscription before their lyrics are distributed and publicly displayed on streaming services like Spotify.

This is deemed unethical because:

  1. Many artists already pay their distributors (extra) to have lyrics published and synced on Spotify, and other platforms. Now artists are forced to additionally subscribe to Musixmatch Pro!

  2. Platforms buy licenses from Musixmatch to display all lyrics in their database.

  3. There is no other way for artists to get lyrics displayed on Spotify, and most of Musixmatch's partner platforms. One could challenge if this is abuse of monopoly power! 

  4. Subscribers of streaming services, such as Spotify, pay for premium subscriptions that include the display of available song lyrics. The policy change essentially downgrades the listening experience of fans on various streaming platforms (e.g. Spotify & Apple Music).

All in all, this leaves artists and fans in a tight spot. For independent artists, this is deemed especially problematic, because the cost of the paid Musixmatch Pro accounts is much higher than the potential royalties most artists receive for their song lyrics. 

Musixmatch essentially puts a price tag on an artist's exclusive right to have their creative output displayed publicly together with their music. This is also deemed to go against the main idea behind copyright law, which is to protect the songwriter's exclusive right to decide how their song lyrics are reproduced, distributed, and displayed to the public.

Without lyrics, Musixmatch would be out of business!

The solution is very simple!

Musixmatch already has a system in place that gives artists the possibility to be verified (the Musixmatch Pro Free account), but Musixmatch has placed the exclusive right that artists have to distribute lyrics to Spotify, and other platforms, behind a paid subscription (Pro Basic, or higher). 

We urge Musixmatch to reconsider their position and respect artists' rights by providing equitable opportunities for lyrics distribution. It is deemed a breach of every songwriter’s legal right to limit their capacity to display their song lyrics publicly, which is exactly what the current Musixmatch’s policies impose.

  1. We ask Musixmatch to stop requiring verified artists to pay for a mandatory Pro Subscription in order for their lyrics to be distributed to streaming platforms.

  2. Include the distribution and syncing of song lyrics submitted by / on behalf of verified artists in every Musixmatch Pro Free plan.

Stand with us in the fight to protect songwriters' rights. Sign this petition and make your voice heard. Demand fair music corporate policies.

Thank you!


Click here to view and sign the petition: https://www.change.org/musixmatch-limiting-songwriters-exclusive-rights-to-distribute-lyrics

Signing is free! (Change.org may ask you to sponsor them, which is optional)


Popular posts

"Hosanna (Palm Sunday) [Live]" by Century Worship: A Palm Sunday Call to Rejoice the King

Century Worship's "Hosanna (Palm Sunday) [Live]" is a joyful gathering cry: "Can you hear it in the distance? The King is coming." The song takes us back to the Palm Sunday moment when Jesus entered Jerusalem, humble and righteous. The lyrics invite us to gather because something is happening. The King is approaching - not with spectacle, but with humility, faithfulness, and saving grace.  Our response is that of expectation, not spectatorship. This is worship that moves us and lifts our eyes. Instead of holding back, we're encouraged "raise up your voices" and prepare the way by laying down symbols of surrender. "Oh lay down your branches, make way for the Savior."   So, why does this song matter today? Because it reminds us that worship is both a response and a declaration. Rejoice, make room, and speak it out! We're reminded of His goodness "to save us, to change us, to bring us home again," and it anchors our hope: ...
More >>

"GREATER THAN THE GRAVE 2026 - Remaster" by Josh Clay: Overcoming Walls and Giants

Have you ever felt like your heart’s gone cold, walls built high like Jericho’s? That’s where Josh Clay’s journey began with his song “Greater Than The Grave”, a song first released in 2022. It was the first song he ever released as an artist, and it’s also the first song that made him say … “yeah, this is my sound!” Years have passed since this song was born, and Josh Clay still sings it with conviction, giving him a good reason to release a remastered version.  Josh shares that this song came after watching a Beatles documentary, where they were explaining that they had 14 days to write 14 songs. He decided right there and then to adopt the same challenge. On the second day of this challenge, while practicing for church, Josh just started singing: “no mountain that may come my way,” and then mumbled something about a grave. In the next 30 minutes, he had the basis for “Greater than the grave”. Josh recalls that this is the song that gave him wings to fly, and without it, t...
More >>

"He's My Rock" by Jamar Esaw & Triad 4 Christ: Finding Shelter in the Storm

(by Jasper Tan) “He’s My Rock” by Jamar Esaw & Triad4Christ featuring Koriann Lewis-Freeman is a powerful contemporary Gospel track that delivers a blend of traditional worship and modern soul. It reminds me of some of the songs by the band DC Talk, which was the definitive sound of modern Christian Contemporary Music when it exploded in the music scene back in the 90’s. This contemporary Gospel track brings forth an energetic sound that updates the way we sing our praise and worship sessions in our Churches. The song brings in a raw modern energy that breaks tradition while also encouraging worship sessions to be more in tune with the times, which brings a lot of youthful energy. The song is powered by Jamar Esaw’s smooth, commanding vocals and Koriann Lewis-Freeman’s additional vocal range. Bringing in an electric chemistry rooted in the authenticity of emotions as they sang the lyrics of the song. This is clearly felt during the song’s build-up to its climactic moments. With a r...
More >>