Your Next Grocery Bill Just Got More Expensive—Thanks to Foster Sylvers’ Hit Song
A little-known copyright ruling tied to Foster Sylvers’ 1973 soul classic is now hitting your wallet. A federal appeals court yesterday upheld a decision forcing streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon to pay higher royalties for any song that samples or shares melodic similarities with Sylvers’ track “Misdemeanor.” This means your monthly subscription fees and the price you pay for digital downloads could jump by up to 5% within the next year as services pass the cost to consumers. Even radio stations in 12 states are warning of local ad-rate hikes to cover the new licensing fees. For everyday listeners, the bottom line is simple: every time you press play on a playlist from the 70s, part of that pleasure could soon cost you a few extra cents. Keep an eye on your next streaming statement and think twice before pressing repeat on that classic jam—your budget might thank you.