limbo/Beat says its quality control agent runs more than 35 checks on music releases before they reach streaming platforms. Co-founder and CEO Fer Isella says distributors can use that early access to address artificial streaming and false copyright claims before a track is live.
Isella said fraud controls were a recurring concern among music technology companies, distributors and record labels at a London industry conference. Attendees discussed the time and cost of reviewing audio, metadata and cover art, but Isella said they did not appear to share a common set of criteria.
limbo/Beat is a spin-off of two Argentine companies, limbo/ and Beat Mobile, which have more than 20 years of experience in music and technology. Its agent checks audio, cover art and metadata against content policies and practices recommended by integrity teams at major digital service providers (DSPs), as well as organizations including Merlin and the Music Fights Fraud Alliance. The agent identifies potential issues, while a person makes the decision; Isella said it does not assess musical quality.
Isella argued that distributors can intervene earlier than platforms because they receive releases before publication, know who uploaded them and have a contract with the uploader. Spotify said it removed more than 75 million spam tracks in a year and was working with distributors to stop them “at the source.”
Music Biz and the Music Fights Fraud Alliance are scheduled to convene the Trust & Safety in Music Symposium at New York University on January 11.
