DistroKid

Originally a side-feature of Kaplan's social media music platform, Fandalism was first developed and launched in early 2012 and was later renamed to DistroKid a year later in mid-2013, while the original Fandalism service was split out into its own company in 2015.{{cite web |title=DistroKid Launches Much Cheaper TuneCore Alternative |url=http://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2013/05/sf-musictech-summit-distrokid-to-be-best-system-in-world-for-uploading-music-to-stores.html |website=Hypebot |date=29 May 2013 |publisher=Bandsintown}}{{cite web |last=Biggs |first=John |date=October 10, 2013 |title=Philip Kaplan Officially Launches DistroKid, A Cheap, Efficient Way To Distribute Lots Of Music |url=https://techcrunch.com/2013/10/10/philip-kaplan-officially-launches-distrokid-a-cheap-efficient-way-to-distribute-lots-of-music/ |publisher=TechCrunch}}

In July 2015, a DistroKid release by musical act Jack & Jack went to number one worldwide on the iTunes charts.{{cite web |last=Robehmed |first=Natalie |date=July 24, 2015 |title=How These Independent Artists Reached No. 1 On The iTunes Chart |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/natalierobehmed/2015/07/24/how-these-independent-artists-reached-no-1-on-the-itunes-chart/#f03a49a55ae3/ |work=Forbes}}{{cite web |last=Biggs |first=John |date=August 6, 2015 |title=The DistroKid Music Distribution Service Has Launched An Indie Artist To The Top Of The Charts |url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/08/06/the-distrokid-music-distribution-service-has-launched-an-indie-artist-to-the-top-of-the-charts/ |website=TechCrunch}} This was particularly notable because DistroKid does not take a commission or royalties, making this the first time a number-one charting artist was able to keep 100% of their earnings.{{cite web |last=Herstand |first=Ari |date=July 24, 2015 |title=The Artist Who Has The #1 Album On iTunes Is Getting 100% Of The Royalties |url=http://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2015/07/24/the-artist-who-has-the-1-album-on-itunes-is-getting-100-of-the-royalties/ |website=Digital Music News}}

In May 2016, DistroKid launched a feature called "Teams" that makes it possible for royalties to be automatically sent to collaborators and shareholders.{{cite web |last=Biggs |first=John |date=May 19, 2016 |title=DistroKid's music payment system now lets you send cash to everyone on a track |url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/05/19/distrokids-music-payment-system-now-lets-you-send-cash-to-everyone-on-a-track/ |website=TechCrunch}}{{cite web |last=Herstand |first=Ari |date=May 19, 2016 |title=DistroKid Will Now Pay Everyone Who Worked On Your Song |url=http://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2016/05/19/distrokid-pay-everyone-worked-song// |website=Digital Music News}} In 2018, DistroKid reached an agreement with Spotify to support cross-platform uploads for Spotify artists who upload directly or have direct licensing deals with the company.{{Cite news |last=Perez |first=Sarah |date=October 17, 2018 |title=Spotify takes a stake in DistroKid, will support cross-platform music uploads in Spotify for Artists |work=TechCrunch |url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/10/17/spotify-takes-a-stake-in-distrokid-will-support-cross-platform-music-uploads-in-spotify-for-artists/ |access-date=November 13, 2018}}{{Cite news |last=Sisario |first=Ben |date=September 6, 2018 |title=A New Spotify Initiative Makes the Big Record Labels Nervous |work=New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/06/business/media/spotify-music-industry-record-labels.html |access-date=November 13, 2018}}{{Cite news |last=Deahl |first=Dani |date=September 20, 2018 |title=Spotify will now let artists directly upload their music to the platform |work=The Verge |url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/9/20/17879840/spotify-artist-direct-upload-independent-music |access-date=November 13, 2018}}

In 2021, the company launched an initiative allowing record labels to mine its data in search of new artists. It receives a finder's fee from record labels each time a label signs a new artist by way of the platform. The first label to take part in the initiative was Republic Records.{{cite news |last1=Stassen |first1=Murray |date=January 28, 2021 |title=DistroKid launches 'matchmaking service' to help labels find unsigned artists; Republic Records named first partner |publisher=Music Business Worldwide |url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/distrokid-launches-worlds-first-matchmaking-service-for-unsigned-artists-and-labels-republic-records-named-as-first-label-partner/ |access-date=February 22, 2021}}

On July 1, 2020, Brazilian YouTuber and musician Dan Vasc called out DistroKid for allegedly stealing the 100% royalty he was promised by DistroKid, as he had only received a reduced percent of the royalty based on the US tax withholding (where DistroKid is based). Vasc uploaded two videos on YouTube highlighting the situation, along with an update.{{Cite web |title= Updates on DistroKid's tax withholding controversy |url=https://rustlingstillness.medium.com/updates-on-distrokids-tax-withholding-controversy-ea3f6d3862d2 |access-date=November 6, 2023 |website=Medium |date=July 2020 |language=en-US}}

In the summer of 2022, DistroKid launched DistroVid to let both members and non-members upload music videos with a subscription.{{cite news |last1=Stassen |first1=Murray |date=June 28, 2022 |title=DistroKid Officially Rolls Out DistroVid Music Video Distribution Service |url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/distrokid-officially-rolls-out-distrovid-music-video-distribution-service/ |access-date=November 13, 2023}}

On June 7, 2023, DistroKid was sued by the indie label Doeman Music Group Media for allegedly mishandling a copyright takedown. In January 2021, DistroKid notified Damien Wilson that his 2020 EP was removed from all streaming platforms because of a takedown notice from Raquella George, who contributed to the song "Scary Movie". The lawsuit alleges that DistroKid did not allow Wilson to dispute the takedown.{{Cite web |title= DistroKid Faces Potential Class-Action Lawsuit Over How It Handles Takedown Request |url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/distrokid-faces-potential-class-action-lawsuit-over-how-it-handles-takedown-requests/ |access-date=November 6, 2023 |website=MusicBusiness Worldwide |date=8 June 2023 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title= DistroKid Faces Potential Class-Action Lawsuit Over Alleged DMCA Takedown Mishandling |url=https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2023/06/09/distrokid-takedown-mishandling-lawsuit/ |access-date=November 6, 2023 |website=Digital Music News |date=9 June 2023 |language=en-US}}

In September 2023, it was announced DistroKid has acquired the music distribution and website hosting platform, Bandzoogle.{{Cite web |title=DistroKid acquires website builder Bandzoogle in effort to "empower artists" |url=https://musictech.com/news/music/distrokid-acquires-bandzoogle/ |access-date=2023-09-19 |website=MusicTech |language=en-GB}}

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Category:Distribution companies of the United States

Category:American companies established in 2012

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Category:Entertainment companies established in 2012

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