Can I use the Audio Features and Analysis API data in a neural network?

[epeacock1970]

I'm developing a web app that uses Spotify's Audio Features and Analysis. My intent is to use this data in a neural network under a commercial license. However, I couldn't figure out if this is allowed. I found an old post that asked a similar question but never received a response.

Does the use of Spotify's API data in a neural network violate the Terms of Use? After reading the Terms of Use a couple of times, I still can't find anything that speaks to this.

Any insight on this would be greatly appreciated.

Plan: Premium; Country: USA

[_milena]

Hey Eric!

Using our APIs for commercial use is only allowed with written permission by us. Submitting it for approval would include the right people answering your question about using the data in a neural network as well.

Read more about it here:

https://developer.spotify.com/legal/general-restrictions/

https://developer.spotify.com/support/

[epeacock1970]

Hi @_melina, 

First, thank you for your response, it has been kind of hard for me to get someone to answer my question.

I've already submitted a request for approval of a commercial license over a month ago and I haven't heard back. I've heard that the review/approval process can take a long time (up to 6 months). However, while I wait I didn't want to be unproductive and this is an important question that will dictate if I can continue development or not. I would think that the Terms for using API data in a neural network in a commercial app would be similar to a non-commercial app but I could be wrong.

I also tried to individually reach out to Spotify Developer Advocates who seemed like they would oversee this, but I still haven't received a response. Still, I appreciate your attempt in trying to help. I just kindly wanted to let you know the state I'm in.

If you have any other suggestions, please let me know. 

[_milena · Accepted solution]

Hi Eric,

I understand your frustration and we are working hard to improve answering and approval times. Please bear with us!

According to our ToS, as long you don't modify the data provided, you should be fine. I assume that you're using the neural network to generate new data based on what it learns from the data from the API, right?

[epeacock1970]

Yes @_milena, that is correct.

Nothing will be reproduced or modified from the API data. The data will be used to train the neural network for an entirely different purpose separate from Spotify's published music data. 

Thank you for providing your insight.