The ongoing legal dispute surrounding the free music streaming application Musi sees Apple standing firm on its choice to remove the app from the App Store. This decision comes just prior to a court hearing that will dictate the app’s future …
About Musi
Musi is a free music streaming platform that aggregates music from YouTube.
The app has gained immense popularity, particularly among teenagers, as it offers completely free music streams without the audio advertisements typically associated with Spotify’s free version. Users only encounter a single set of ads upon launching the app, after which they can enjoy uninterrupted music.
Legal Dispute
YouTube claims that Musi breaches its terms of service by accessing its music without proper licensing. In defense, Musi argues that its function is akin to that of a web browser.
This situation is more intricate than it appears, with even legal professionals divided on which entity holds the legal advantage.
Following YouTube’s complaint, Apple took action and removed Musi from the App Store pending the outcome of the court case scheduled for January. Musi contested this decision, asserting that Apple should await a judicial ruling, and expressed concerns it could face closure before the case is adjudicated.
Arstechnica indicates that Apple is not swayed by these arguments.
“Musi provides no evidence relating to its financial condition and no evidence that it is unable to survive until a decision on the merits in this case.”
According to Apple, Musi has not been forthcoming about its financial health, although external reports suggest that the app generated more than $100 million in advertising revenue between January 2023 and spring 2024, hiring a maximum of ten employees.
Apple states that it remains neutral in these disputes but must remove applications initially to avoid potential legal involvement.
Musi Users Refuse iPhone Upgrades
Current users can still access the app they have installed on their iPhones, but those purchasing new devices will be unable to reinstall it. Ars has noted that users on Reddit are pledging not to upgrade their phones until the situation is resolved.
For Musi enthusiasts expressing their frustration on Reddit, the app appears to be irreplaceable […] One user mentioned that Musi allows for unlimited videos in a playlist, unlike YouTube, which restricts playlists to a maximum of 5,000 videos.
“Musi is the only playback system I have to play all 9k of my videos/songs in the same library,” said the user. “I don’t solely use Musi because it’s free. It offers features that no other app has, especially if you enjoy watching music videos while listening.”
Image: Apple/Musi
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