Spotify already has 30,000 users in the U.S. according to chatter from the Stockholm (Spoitfy's home) tech scene and first reported TechCrunch. So why not just launch the damn thing in the U.S. officially? Not so fast, says Spotify, the report is “completely factually incorrect".
But Glenn Peoples at Billboard.biz makes the point that you don't have to be a U.S. citizen to use Spotify in the country. Travelers and expatriates living here could make up some of the 30,000. There are also tutorials on the web about how to mask you IP address to sign up for Spotify. And lets not forget the hundreds, if not thousands, of Spotify authorized accounts for the press and industry insiders. I've had one for more than 18 months (and love it).
Why Hasn't Spotify Launched In The U.S.?
So, whatever the number, why hasn't Spotify launched in the U.S.?
Multiple sources are reporting that the Warner Music Group being the primary stumbling block. Details are sparse, but WMG CEO Edgar Bronfman Jr. has been publicly skeptical of Spotify's ability to deliver revenue without cannibalizing sales in the past.
It's also clear that U.S. music lovers want Spotify here. If it does not reach these shores soon, Edgar, Lyor & Company might just find themselves facing a fan boycott.
