Streaming Services Gain Access to Web VI Materials

The Copyright Royalty Board orders the release of unredacted evidence for major streaming platforms.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Music — General

Streaming Services Gain Access to Web VI Materials

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Should copyright regulators allow streaming services access to competitors' confidential economic data during rate-setting?

Streaming services including Pandora, Spotify, Apple, and Amazon have been granted access to unredacted Web VI materials by the Copyright Royalty Board. This order aims to streamline the rate-setting process by allowing the use of evidence from the Web VI proceeding.

Why it matters

The access helps companies avoid inefficiencies and delays in the rate-setting process by allowing them to utilize overlapping economic analyses. The board implemented specific protective orders and restrictions to prevent the misuse of the sensitive documents.

The order allows streaming providers to access unredacted materials covering the 2026-2030 Web VI timeframe. Providers have a window of 10 days to contest access requests to prevent competitive harm.

The players

Trevor Jefferson

He serves as the Chief Copyright Royalty Judge overseeing the board's proceedings.

This federal agency administers copyright law by determining royalty rates for the use of copyrighted works.

Spotify

This is a major audio streaming service provider currently participating in rate-setting proceedings.

The details

Chief Copyright Royalty Judge Trevor Jefferson issued the order, which excludes outside counsel currently involved in negotiations with sound recording companies. Services must strictly follow AI-use terms for any accessed materials.

Streaming services filed the motion for document access in September 2026.
Spotify and others submitted proposals for Phono V in October 2026.
The Web VI proceeding covers the 2026-2030 period.
The Phono V proceeding covers the 2028-2032 period.

Industry Dynamics

This move signals a shift in the administrative management of high-stakes royalty rate proceedings between streaming giants and copyright holders. It follows the established pattern set by the Copyright Royalty Board's Web VI rate-setting proceeding.

This order affects how streaming services manage their cost structures by influencing future licensing rates. While the impact is largely behind the scenes, these legal proceedings ultimately shape the economic viability of streaming platforms for consumers.

The takeaway

The board requires streaming services to maintain strict confidentiality to protect competitive interests. Companies involved must balance their need for data efficiency with mandatory AI-use restrictions.