IFPI, representing the recording industry worldwide, and its German national group BVMI have announced that the Regional Court of Frankfurt has issued an injunction against the Germany-based operator of “likeservice24.de”, a widely-used website engaged in illicit music streaming manipulation services. IFPI explains that the injunction prevents the operator from offering artificial “plays” or “views” of streams on digital service providers as well as fake “comments”, “likes” and “subscribers” in connection with music content.

IFPI says that this is the latest in a series of injunctions resulting from recording industry actions in Germany and Brazil coordinated by IFPI and local industry bodies. In Germany, the efforts led to preliminary injunctions by several regional courts against the operators of six streaming manipulation services in March 2020 and August 2020. In June 2019, a music industry coalition signed a voluntary code of best practice to tackle the practice of streaming manipulation globally.

IFPI Chief Executive Frances Moore said: “This is yet another positive decision in a series issued by the German courts supporting the recording industry’s ongoing fight against streaming manipulation globally. IFPI and its industry partners remain committed to tackling this harmful practice, which not only deprives artists, songwriters and other rights holders of their rightful compensation, but also misleads music fans.” To read IFPI’s announcement in full, click here.