click to enlarge David Lowery (in hat) is taking on the giant Spotify with a newly filed class action suit.

David Lowery, frontman for alternative groups Camper Van Beethoven and Cracker, has filed a class action lawsuit seeking at least $150 million in damages against Spotify, alleging it knowingly, willingly and unlawfully reproduces and distributes copyrighted compositions without obtaining mechanical licenses.

The lawsuit was filed on Dec. 28 in California federal court. He has retained the law firm of Michelman & Robinson, LLP.

“We are committed to paying songwriters and publishers every penny,” Jonathan Prince, a spokesman for Spotify, said in a statement. “Unfortunately, especially in the United States, the data necessary to confirm the appropriate rights holders is often missing, wrong or incomplete.”

A former local, Lowery is known for helping to start and continuing to produce records at Sound of Music Studios. He also has a home and two sons who live here with his ex-wife. Still touring, in recent years he's become known nationally for being an outspoken proponent of musicians' rights in the digital age and has testified before Congress. He also lectures at the University of Georgia in its music business program. Style reached out to Lowery and will update when possible.

Meanwhile, Billboard has more on the story here; and New York Times provides more coverage here.

And if you want to know just who Lowery is in more detail -- read this deep-dig profile of him from a year ago by Grayson Haver Currin.