Music Streaming Fraud
Comment SubmissionThe U.S. Copyright Office published a notice of inquiry (NOI) on music streaming fraud, pursuant to a congressional request to gather information on its prevalence across streaming platforms and how this practice may be affecting the music industry.
The NOI provides background and solicits responses to specific questions designed to aid Congress’s understanding of streaming fraud, current efforts to curb this problem, and potential solutions.
Background
Streaming has become one of the most significant revenue drivers of the music industry. Those who engage in streaming fraud and use illegitimate methods to artificially increase a song’s plays dilute the royalty pool for legitimately streamed works.
Streaming fraud can occur in different ways, including through the use of bot farms, click farms, playlist stuffing, and account hijacking. Digital music providers, music distributors, vendors, copyright owners, performance rights organizations, collective management organizations, and law enforcement agencies have engaged in efforts to prevent streaming fraud, with varying degrees of success.
This NOI requests public input on the prevalence of streaming fraud across streaming platforms and how it may be affecting the music industry. It also asks for input on specific questions addressing the factors that contribute to streaming fraud, resources and methods used to deter it and their effectiveness, and potential voluntary, statutory, or regulatory solutions to the problem.
Initial written comments must be received no later than November 23, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. eastern time, and written reply comments are due December 21, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. eastern time.