Spotify launched in Sweden, initially, which is one of the most piracy-friendly business climates in the world, and also a very low-red-tape place to do busines

Spotify launched in Sweden, initially, which is one of the most piracy-friendly business climates in the world, and also a very low-red-tape place to do business. American competitors existed and were ground into dust before getting off the ground due to all of the people with their hands out. Between ASCAP/BMI, the agents, the artists, and the record labels, the music business in the US has so many middlemen for the fact that it is such a small industry.