COPYRIGHT IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY: THE ROLE OF STREAMING PLATFORMS IN ARTIST VALUE

Abstract

Streaming platforms have consolidated themselves as the primary means of music consumption today, emerging as a response to piracy by prioritizing immediate access over physical ownership. In this context, this article analyzes how this digitalization influences the actual valuation of the artist. The core issue is that this new structure has brought about an imbalance: consumption is massive, but remuneration is unfair. In practice, the amount that reaches the artist's pocket for each stream is almost symbolic, generating a massive inequality where payment does not reflect the value of the work. Furthermore, the omission of credits and the lack of clarity regarding royalties show that the current model lacks transparency and balance. Given this, the central objective is to evaluate whether Brazilian laws can, in fact, protect creators within these new practices of the phonographic industry, seeking harmony between technology and copyright. To conduct this study, the method used was the examination of the Copyright Law (Law No. 9,610/98) in light of the understanding of the Superior Court of Justice (STJ). Finally, as a brief conclusion, the study shows that although the judiciary has helped by defining streaming as "public performance," our law remains incomplete for the digital world. The current reality is characterized by significant data opacity and unfair payments, which hinders the artist’s valuation. The great challenge now is not just to have laws, but to create real mechanisms that ensure musicians are paid fairly and transparently for every click.