Court Limits DMCA Subpoenas, Anna’s Archive Defies Order, and EU Approves $775M Music Deal

How The Music Business Works - Issue #49

February 19, 2026

This week, regulators draw new lines around copyright enforcement, piracy battles escalate despite court orders, and streaming platforms spotlight global growth stories amid local market concerns.

The European Commission has approved Universal Music Group’s acquisition of Downtown, requiring the divestment of Curve but leaving wider concerns about infrastructure control and negotiating power unresolved. At the same time, Anna’s Archive has begun releasing millions of hacked Spotify tracks despite a court injunction and a trillion-dollar lawsuit, as a US judge draws clearer limits around how DMCA subpoenas can be used in cross-border copyright disputes.

Meanwhile, Spotify is spotlighting the global growth of Australian artists, pushing back on concerns that local repertoire is struggling to break through at home.

U.S. Court Limits DMCA Subpoenas in Foreign Copyright Cases

A California federal magistrate judge has clarified that DMCA subpoenas cannot be used to pursue copyright litigation in foreign courts. The ruling came after manga giant Shueisha sought to use a subpoena served on Cloudflare to identify the operator of two manga piracy sites, with the aim of potentially filing a related lawsuit in Japan. Judge Thomas S. Hixson approved a protective order but struck language that would have allowed the subpoenaed information to be used in foreign proceedings, stating that only U.S.-based copyright claims fall within the scope of a DMCA subpoena. The judge also rejected a provision that would have lifted confidentiality protections if a full complaint were filed, confirming that those safeguards remain in place. While Shueisha can still pursue action in Japan, the decision sets an important boundary on how U.S. copyright tools can be used, particularly in cross-border enforcement efforts involving anonymous or overseas defendants.

Anna’s Archive Releases Stolen Spotify Files Despite Court Order

Anna’s Archive has begun releasing batches of music files taken during its large-scale hack of Spotify last year, despite facing a $12.9 trillion copyright lawsuit from Spotify and the major labels and an injunction issued by a New York court. According to reports, the group has uploaded torrents containing around 2.8 million tracks so far, part of the 86 million files allegedly scraped from the platform. The releases include full audio files labeled with Spotify track IDs, directly violating a court order that bars the group from distributing the stolen content. The defendants have already been placed in default for failing to respond to the lawsuit, likely in an effort to remain anonymous. With domains being seized and new ones appearing, the dispute is shaping up as another high-stakes legal battle over digital piracy, enforcement, and platform accountability.

European Commission Approves Universal’s $775 Million Downtown Acquisition

The European Commission has approved Universal Music Group’s acquisition of Downtown Music Holdings, on the condition that Universal divests Downtown’s Curve royalty accounting platform. The decision follows a fourteen-month Phase II investigation triggered by a campaign led by IMPALA, which argued the deal would concentrate too much independent music infrastructure under the world’s largest major label. Regulators ultimately focused on the risk of Universal gaining access to commercially sensitive data via Curve, accepting its sale as a sufficient remedy. IMPALA and other independent sector leaders say the outcome falls short, warning that broader concerns around infrastructure control, negotiating leverage with streaming platforms, and cultural diversity remain unresolved. With Downtown’s FUGA, CD Baby and Songtrust businesses set to move under Universal’s Virgin Music Group, critics argue the deal strengthens Universal’s position in digital licensing and playlist negotiations. 

ASCAP Revenue Collections Up 6% in 2025

ASCAP has posted a 6% year-on-year increase in revenue collections for 2025, signaling continued momentum across both US and international markets. The organization credited the growth to strong performance in digital licensing, particularly streaming, alongside gains in general licensing and overseas collections through reciprocal agreements. Total revenue reached a new high, with corresponding increases in distributions to songwriters, composers, and music publishers. The results underscore the expanding global demand for licensed music and ASCAP’s ongoing efforts to modernize its licensing and distribution infrastructure. As streaming continues to drive performance income and cross-border collections grow in importance, ASCAP’s latest figures reflect a steady upward trajectory despite broader industry pressures and evolving regulatory scrutiny.

Spotify Highlights Global Growth for Australian Artists

Spotify has renewed its focus on the global performance of Australian artists, amid ongoing debate about whether local music is losing ground domestically on streaming platforms. Updating its Australian Music Global Impact List, the company ranked the top 50 tracks by Australian acts generating the most streams outside the country. Sia leads the list with her collaboration with David Guetta, alongside appearances from artists including Tame Impala and The Kid Laroi. According to Spotify, streams of Australian artists outside Australia have grown 69% since 2020, with the United States remaining the largest export market, followed by the UK and Germany. Emerging growth markets such as South Africa, the Philippines and Colombia are also expanding quickly. The update positions international reach as a key counterpoint to concerns about domestic visibility for Australian repertoire.