Google signs European music deal

Google has signed a deal with music publishers in Europe, adding 5.5 million tracks to its catalogue.

The deal, which was struck with the Armonia joint venture, gives Google the licence to use the music within its services in Europe, including Google Play.

Armonia is a pan-European hub for licensing of online services. It includes the Italian Society of Authors and Publishers, its French and Spanish counterparts Sacem and Sgae, and Universal Music Publishing International. It means Google can offer tracks by artists including Lady Gaga and Rihanna to customers, giving it more ammunition in its fight against rivals Apple and Amazon.

Google’s head of music licensing Sami Valkonen welcomed the deal.

“Licences such as this are important in ensuring that artists and rights-holders are rewarded fairly for their creative endeavours, and digital service providers are able to bring innovative services to market for the benefit of European consumers,” he said.

“Armonia is a welcome development in the ongoing reform of pan-territorial licensing in Europe in helping simplify and speed up the music-licensing process, which is crucial in fostering ongoing rapid innovation by digital music service providers.”