The legal battle over free music streaming app Musi continues, with Apple defending its decision to remove it from the App Store ahead of a trial that will determine its fate …
Musi
Musi is a free music streaming app that downloads music from YouTube.
The app proved particularly popular with teens because it offered completely free music streaming without the interruptions from audio ads that you get on Spotify's free tier. You just listen to one set of ads when you open the app and can listen to them without interruption after that.
The Legal Battle
YouTube claims Musi is violating its terms of service by accessing its music without a license. Musi disagrees, saying it's no different than a web browser.
The dispute is more complicated than it sounds, with even legal experts unable to agree on which side the law is on.
However, YouTube has complained to Apple, and the Cupertino company has removed Musi from the App Store pending the outcome of a trial scheduled for January. Musi has countered, saying Apple should wait for a court decision and suggesting the company could be forced to shut down before the case goes to trial.
Arstechnica reports that Apple is unimpressed by the argument.
“Musi provides no evidence regarding its financial situation and no evidence that it cannot survive until the merits of this case are decided.”
Musi does not disclose its finances, according to Apple, but public filings have shown that the app “earned more than $100 million in advertising between January 2023 and spring 2024 and employs no more than 10 people.”
Apple says it is not taking sides in these cases, but must remove the apps first to avoid being sued.
Musi users vow not to upgrade iPhones
Existing users can continue to use the app already installed on their iPhone, but if they buy a new iPhone, they won't be able to reinstall it. Ars notes that Reddit users are vowing not to update their phones as long as this is the case.
For Musi fans expressing their misery on Reddit, Musi seems to be indispensable […] One Musi user also noted that Musi allows you to add unlimited videos to a playlist, whereas YouTube caps playlists at 5,000 videos.
“Musi is the only playback system I need to play all 9k of my videos/songs in one library,” said a Musi fan. “I honestly don’t just use Musi because it’s free.” It has features that no other app has, especially if you like watching music videos while listening to music”
Image: Apple/Musi
