Spotify could restrict certain streams for free users

All music on Spotify may not be available to free users soon, according to reports.

Wall Street Journal says the streaming service is looking to give artists the freedom to decide whether their music can be listened to by non-subscribers, or just those who are paying members.

However, although the company is yet to confirm anything, if it's implemented it will only cover "premium" albums from "certain artists".

With 20 million currently paying £9.99 per month and 75m using it for free, this comes after pop star Taylor Swift removed all of her material last year in protest of it being available for free.

It's no surprise some artists aren't too happy with free streams, as plays from paying users are thought to earn them around 10 times more in royalties than from non-paying users.

Spotify still believes that a model providing free and premium services is most beneficial, according to Spotify spokesman Jonathan Prince.

"We are 100 per cent committed to our model because we believe that a free, ad-supported tier combined with a more robust premium tier is the best way to deliver music to fans, create value for artists and songwriters and grow the industry."

[ Via: BBC]