European independent music org IMPALA has a series of questions for Spotify about its plan to reform the streaming market. The org aims to assist the streaming company to ensure changes benefit the independent community.

Created in partnership with Impala members in 32 countries across Europe, the questions raise concerns over Spotify’s proposal to introduce a 1k stream per year threshold for tracks to receive remuneration.

While the IMPALA board agrees with the aim of tackling revenue dilution, it “opposes the principle of a ‘blunt instrument’ that demonetizes repertoire altogether to the benefit of more popular tracks.”

The org contends that the data for any change must show that smaller and less established labels and artists do not lose out, as well as deep catalog repertoire and smaller territories, specialist genres and longer tracks.

Within its series of questions, IMPALA asks Spotify to suspend the implementation of the new policies, which are set to start in early 2024, to accommodate further debate.

It also asks the streaming company whether it will commit to subscription price increases which “at least” follow inflation and about its plans to support diversity and local artists.

"We share the same goal of fostering a fairer streaming ecosystem and agree that the level of content currently flooding Spotify's open platform is unsustainable,” IMPALA Executive Chair Helen Smith said. “We welcome elements of the new proposal, and at the same time seek assurances and adjustments.”

You can view the full (and rather extensive) list of questions here.