IOTA-MSS: A Pay-per-Play Music Streaming System based on IOTA

Abstract

In recent years, music streaming has emerged as the primary method for users to enjoy their favorite songs. Music Streaming Services (MSS) have risen to become influential entities in the music industry, exemplified by Spotify’s impressive 406 million monthly active users by the end of 2021. However, many artists express concerns that the current MSS model fails to adequately compensate them for their music, raising questions about fairness. To tackle this issue, this paper proposes the implementation of IOTA-MSS, a Pay-per-Play Music Streaming System that leverages the secure and scalable IOTA distributed ledger technology (DLT). By harnessing the capabilities of IOTA’s DLT, IOTA-MSS offers a platform that enables seamless microtransactions. This innovative system empowers users to play and distribute music in real-time while ensuring that rights holders receive corresponding payments. Through the utilization of IOTA’s DLT, IOTA-MSS addresses the challenges faced by artists, providing a more equitable solution for music compensation. By adopting a Pay-per-Play model, this system aligns artist remuneration with the actual usage and popularity of their music. Furthermore, IOTA-MSS enhances the user experience, offering a secure and efficient platform for music enthusiasts to engage with their favorite tunes.