from Hacker News

European alternatives for American tech companies

by Sontho on 4/16/25, 7:08 AM with 1 comments

• by braza on 4/16/25, 8:27 AM

  I think the initiative comes from some good principles, but I do not buy it because it not about fostering a dynamic European market and creating conditions for small and medium-sized companies to be able to raise and compete, but it sounds more like, _Hey, let's use the services from our own European cartel companies and help cement them, because "america bad"._

  And another fundamental problem:

  > Spotify is based in Sweden.[1]

  > (Spotify) Paid out a record $10 billion in royalties to the music industry in 2024 pg. 4 [2]

  > Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group, and Music and Entertainment Rights Licensing Independent Network (“Merlin”), makes up the majority of music consumed on our Service. pg. 15 [3]

  At the end, the money will directly flow to the major labels and american artists/producers.

  [1] - https://europeanalternatives.online/apple-music-european-alt....

  [2] - https://s29.q4cdn.com/175625835/files/doc_financials/2024/q4....

  [3] - https://s29.q4cdn.com/175625835/files/doc_financials/2024/q4...