Spotify turns up volume in DC

Spotify is beefing up its Washington (DC) presence as it readies for a fight with Apple and others over online music streaming. Four lobbying firms registered to lobby on behalf of Spotify on several issues, including competition, licensing and “platform neutrality,” according to multiple sources familiar with the matter. It’s an aggressive move for the company, which until now had not maintained any internal or external registered lobbyists. Forbes-Tate, Peck Madigan Jones, Gibson Group and BakerHostetler are the firms that filed registrations with the Senate. Spotify is also increasing its lobbying activity in Europe with at least two firms representing it before the European Union, and it has listed a new job posting there for a vice president of public policy.