Martin Lorentzon

In April 2016, Ek and Lorentzon warned in an open letter that Spotify might concentrate more of its growth outside Sweden unless the government reformed taxation of stock options, housing in Stockholm and technology education. Their intervention was criticised as political pressure by a private company on the state and a threat to move jobs.

State of the evidence

open letter and media coverage documented

Legal status — source text

no legal proceedings

Attribution

personal responsibility alongside Daniel Ek as co-signatory

During the Swedish debate on streaming remuneration, Lorentzon stated that he had 'zero understanding' for artists attacking Spotify over payment levels, arguing that the platform instead provided a significant new source of income. Songwriters and musicians denounced an attitude disconnected from creators' economic difficulties.

State of the evidence

public statement and songwriters' reaction documented

Legal status — source text

no legal proceedings

Attribution

personal responsibility for his statements as Spotify co-founder and chairman

In 2013, Sveriges Radio revealed that Lorentzon had used a Cyprus-registered company to hold and sell assets, a structure that reportedly reduced potential Swedish taxation by tens of millions of kronor on a capital gain of approximately 250 million SEK. The revelation attracted criticism, particularly because he was then serving on TeliaSonera's board.

State of the evidence

corporate structure and tax estimates reported by Sveriges Radio; Lorentzon's response documented

Legal status — source text

no personal tax conviction established in the sources reviewed

Attribution

personal responsibility for structuring his assets; illegality not established