Meta has told a US court that a lawsuit filed against it by production music firm Epidemic Sound has so many “vague assertions and glaring omissions” in it that it has been “left to try to guess” what it’s actually being accused of. With that in mind, the Facebook and Instagram owner would quite like said lawsuit to be dismissed.
Category: Stories of Interest
American industry welcomes the launch of radio royalty proposals in US Senate
The American record industry has welcomed the introduction of formal proposals in the US Senate that would force AM and FM radio stations in the country to start paying royalties to artists and record labels for the first time. The bipartisan American Music Fairness Act – introduced by Republican Senator Marcia Blackburn and Democrat Alex Padilla – mirrors the proposals already on the table in the US House Of Representatives.
YouTube launches new music micro-licensing service for its video creators
YouTube yesterday announced a new service called Creator Music which aims to make it easier for creators on the video platform to use commercially released music in their content while still monetising their output.
YouTube Launches Revenue-Sharing Programs for Shorts, Music Licensing
The video giant will pool together the revenue from all Shorts ads and dole out that money to creators based on their share of total Shorts views.
Read More: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/youtube-shorts-ad-revenue-sharing-1235223925/
Disney Loses Bid to Dismiss ‘Muppet Babies’ Reboot Copyright Suit
The order follows recent directives by a federal appeals court not to dismiss copyright cases too early.
Muppet Babies, a reboot of the 1984 animated series of the same name, premiered in 2018 with a slight twist: the pattern of the nanny’s socks change every episode. That variation spawned a copyright infringement lawsuit against Disney from Jeffrey Scott, a screenwriter of the original series, that was dismissed due to unusual circumstances surrounding his personal bankruptcy.
WGA West Elects Eight Board Members As Possible Writers Strike Looms In May
Eight WGA West members have been elected to the guild’s board of directors in a race that foreshadowed a possible writers strike next year.
Former board member Angelina Burnett was the top vote-getter, with 1,696 votes, followed by incumbents Ashley Gable (1,553 votes), Deric A. Hughes (1,531), Eric Haywood (1,447) and Travis Donnelly (1,304). Also elected were Raphael Bob-Waksberg (1,273), John Rogers (1,213) and Justin Halpern (1,005).
Read More: https://deadline.com/2022/09/wga-west-election-results-possible-writers-strike-1235123150/
Steve Cooper: Warner Music is becoming less financially dependent on superstar artists – and wants to see ‘regular’ streaming price rises
D’you know the best time to interview a C-suite executive at a giant music company? When they’ve already announced they’re leaving.
PACE welcomes court ruling on the live music tariff of Belgian collecting society SABAM
UK-based PACE Rights Management has welcomed a recent ruling in the Belgian courts regarding a dispute over the rates charged and methodology employed by song rights collecting society SABAM in the live music domain.
Miley Cyrus the latest artist to be sued over sharing pap photo on social media
Miley Cyrus is the latest musician to be hit with a copyright infringement lawsuit by photographer Robert Barbera over photos she posted to Instagram. He has previously sued Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande and Dua Lipa (twice), all of whom settled out of court.
Another shot for Rango (but, incidentally, the “fair use” defence in Italy has been shot too): Rome Appeal Court confirms there is no misappropriation nor infringement of the “Man With No Name” character
This blog has already covered the decision of the Rome Court of First Instance concerning a copyright infringement claim concerning a fictional character. The action had been brought by the producers of the movie “For a fistful of dollars” against the producers of the award-winner cartoon movie “Rango”, claiming unlawful use of the “The Man With No Name” character. As the authors of that post correctly summed up at that time, the core of the matter was that:
Read More: https://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2022/09/another-shot-for-rango-but-incidentally.html
Judge Denies Spotify’s Early Motion For Summary Judgement Against Kobalt In Eminem Publisher Legal Battle
A federal judge has officially denied Spotify’s early motion for summary judgement against Kobalt as part of a long-running legal battle centering on allegedly unpaid royalties for billions of Eminem streams.
2,000 artists and creatives in Ireland to be paid basic income of $330 per week under new pilot scheme
A total of 2,000 musicians, painters and writers in Ireland are set to receive a weekly basic income of €325 ($330) per week under a new scheme to be piloted by Ireland’s government.
Greensleeves settles with Chris Brown over alleged song theft
UK-based music firm Greensleeves has settled a legal battle with Chris Brown and his label over the allegations that the musician ripped off an earlier song that it publishes on his 2017 single ‘Privacy’.
Francisco Partners acquires majority stake in Kobalt
Private equity firm Francisco Partners has confirmed it is acquiring a majority stake in Kobalt, though the current management team at the music publishing company will remain in place following the takeover, and they say that the plan is to plough on with their “mission of being a positive transformative force for the benefit of all creators”. Lovely stuff.
Read More: https://completemusicupdate.com/article/francisco-partners-acquires-majority-stake-in-kobalt/
WGA Collects Over $4 Million In Settlement With Amazon Over Unpaid Residuals
The WGA has settled an arbitration against Amazon, collecting more than $4 million in underpaid residuals and interest owed to 37 screenwriters on 31 films produced or acquired by Amazon. The settlement comes in the wake of a similar “self-dealing” arbitration that the guild recently won against Netflix, in which the guild collected $42 million in unpaid residuals on a total of 140 Netflix-produced films.
Read More: https://deadline.com/2022/09/writers-guild-amazon-residuals-settlement-1235110384/
ECSA says new GEMA study puts spotlight back on digital pie debate
The European Composer & Songwriter Alliance has welcomed a new report on the streaming market in Germany commissioned by German song rights collecting society GEMA which, it says, echos many of the findings of the UK Parliament’s Economics Of Music Streaming inquiry. In particular, that “streaming is booming but music creators are far from getting a fair share from music streaming revenues”.
Filmmakers Sue AT&T to Block Pirate Sites & Disconnect Repeat Infringers
A group of independent movie companies has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against AT&T. The Internet provider, which has over 80 million subscribers in the US, faces far-reaching demands. In addition to millions in damages, the filmmakers want the ISP to terminate the accounts of repeat infringers and block access to sites such as The Pirate Bay and YTS.
Andreessen Horowitz wants to fix NFT copyright with its ‘Can’t Be Evil’ license
Venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) is trying to clean up the messy state of crypto copyright. Last week, the company introduced what it dubs “Can’t Be Evil” licenses: a series of agreements that let creators grant non-fungible token owners partial or near-complete rights to NFT art. It’s fighting a problem many experts have called out — one that’s persistently undercut claims that NFTs let you “own” a work.
Nirvana win lawsuit over 1991 Nevermind album cover
A US judge has dismissed a man’s latest lawsuit against Nirvana over the band’s iconic 1991 album cover which showed him naked as a baby.
Spencer Elden, 31, said his appearance on the front of the Nevermind record constituted child sexual abuse.
Read More: https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-62789436
Streaming services and music publishers reach deal on song royalty rates in the US
The streaming services and the US music publishers have reached a deal over the royalty rate paid by the former to the latter, which means neither side will have to go through the time and expense of a messy and contentious hearing before the US Copyright Royalty Board. This is good news for the services, publishers and songwriters. Less so for those of us who enjoy writing about messy and contentious CRB hearings!
Settlement Announced For Phonorecords IV Proceeding — Streaming Services Agree to 15.35% Headline Rate For 2023-2027
The National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA), the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), and the Digital Media Association (DiMA) have officially unveiled a settlement agreement for the Phonorecords IV proceeding, which covers 2023-2027.
SAG-AFTRA Members Vote to Ratify Netflix Deal
SAG-AFTRA members have voted to ratify the union’s latest stand-alone contract deal with Netflix.
After the voting period ended Aug. 31, the vote was 89.03 percent in favor of the new contract, the union announced Wednesday. SAG-AFTRA and the streamer first reached the tentative deal in early August, and the union’s national board approved it just days after, recommending that union members vote “yes.”
Settlement Announced For Phonorecords IV Proceeding — Streaming Services Agree to 15.35% Headline Rate For 2023-2027
The National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA), the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), and the Digital Media Association (DiMA) have officially unveiled a settlement agreement for the Phonorecords IV proceeding, which covers 2023-2027.
Larry Heard and Robert Owens settle Trax Records dispute, reclaim their music rights
Management firm TaP Music last week confirmed that Larry Heard and Robert Owens – prominent players from the 1980s Chicago house scene and two thirds of Fingers Inc – have settled their legal dispute with Trax Records, the label they worked with in the mid-80s. The deal confirms that the duo own all the rights in the music they released with the label.
Inventing Anna: Rachel DeLoache Williams sues Netflix for defamation
A former Vanity Fair photo editor has sued Netflix over how she was portrayed in the hit series Inventing Anna.
Rachel DeLoache Williams was among the real people who were depicted in the true-life drama about “fake heiress” Anna Delvey, aka Anna Sorokin.
Read More: https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-62727106
The Local Radio Freedom Act Has Majority Support in the House, NAB Says — Major Labels Fire Back Against ‘Meaningless’ Measure
The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has announced that the Local Radio Freedom Act is now backed by a bipartisan majority in the House of Representatives.
Read More: https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2022/08/29/local-radio-freedom-act-house-support/?mc_cid=5c91bb9ef1
Paramount Seeks to Throw Out ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Copyright Lawsuit
Paramount filed a motion on Friday to dismiss a lawsuit that claims that “Top Gun: Maverick” infringes on the copyright of the 1983 magazine article that was the source material for the original film.
Taylor Swift’s Lover book accused of ripping off elements of earlier poetry collection
Taylor Swift has been sued yet again over allegations that she has ripped off another creator’s work. Though this time it’s not a song-theft lawsuit. Instead, writer Teresa La Dart claims that a book that accompanied a deluxe version of Swift’s 2019 ‘Lover’ album contains various creative elements in common with a book of poetry she published in 2010, also called ‘Lover’.
17,000 people say the Internet Is already broken
As the leaders of the Artist Rights Alliance, Copyright Alliance, and CreativeFuture, we believe in the right of creative people to make a living through their creativity, ingenuity, and hard work. But that work is being undermined by the existential threat of digital piracy.
Read More: https://thehill.com/opinion/congress-blog/3615621-17000-people-say-the-internet-is-already-broken/
Kobalt Music Removes All Music from Facebook, Instagram — And the Standoff Begins
Kobalt Music is removing its 700,000-song catalog from Instagram and Facebook due to license expiry.
The company says its music licensing agreement with Meta expired and the two parties have failed to reach a favorable agreement to renew. Kobalt Music administers songs for artists such as Childish Gambino, Foo Fighters, Billie Eilish co-writer FINNEAS, Beck, and many others.
AI rapper FN Meka dropped by Capitol over racial stereotyping
A record label has cut ties with an AI rapper after criticism it contained racial stereotypes, including repeated use of the N-word.
FN Meka is an artificial intelligence musician given the appearance of a black male cyborg.
But Capitol Music Group (CMG) faced a backlash for signing the rapper.
Read More: https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-62659741
Swedish Rights Collecting Society STIM Offers YouTubers Pre-Licensed ‘Hits’ for Videos
STIM, The Swedish Performing Rights Society, is now providing YouTubers unlimited access to a broad catalog of copyright-protected ‘hit’ music.
The Swedish Performing Rights Society, STIM, presents Cora Music, providing YouTubers unlimited access to a catalog of copyright-protected, high-quality music. For a monthly fee of €25, users can select from a broad music catalog and add tracks directly to their creative content with no additional costs or catches.
Read More: https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2022/08/24/stim-youtubers-one-stop-shop-music/?mc_cid=e4d9dbd5ad
Orleans Lawsuit Against WMG Reveals The Truth About Streaming Fees
There’s the old joke of three people interviewing for head of royalties. They’re all given the same complicated accounting problem. The first whipped out a calculator and started running numbers at the interview. After a couple hours, the work produced a result. The second asked if he could take it home and came back the next day with a result.
Google Fires Back Against Composer Maria Schneider’s Content ID Lawsuit: ‘YouTube’s Novel Copyright Management Tools Are So Powerful, They Must Be Used With Care’
YouTube has officially fired back against Grammy-winning jazz composer Maria Schneider and several other parties who are suing over alleged Content ID discrimination.
Hollywood Talent Agency Strikes Deal With Writers Guild to End Boycott
LOS ANGELES (CN) — The Writers Guild of America restored Hollywood talent firm Creative Artists Agency’s ability to represent screenwriters after agreeing Wednesday to end a nearly two-year legal battle over talent packaging fees.
11 Actors Who Made Over $20 Million For Just One Movie, And 11 Who Were Stupidly Underpaid
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Michelle was paid $625,000 for her performance in All the Money in the World which earned her a Golden Globes nomination. In comparison, her costar Mark Wahlberg made $5 million — nearly ten times her pay.
UFC Sues Documentary Production Team in Copyright Dispute
At a time when The Last Dance, Athlete A, Untold: The Girlfriend Who Didn’t Exist and other popular documentaries prominently feature copyrighted audiovisuals of athletes, the UFC is suing the producers of Bisping: The Michael Bisping Story over unauthorized video use. The case could set important precedent for leagues and the documentarians who seek their footage.
Read More: https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/ufc-sues-documentary-production-team-130000553.html
Eddy Grant to subpoena Donald Trump’s former Deputy Chief Of Staff in Electric Avenue campaign video dispute
In the wider scheme of things, ongoing litigation in relation to his unapproved use of Eddy Grant’s ‘Electric Avenue’ in a 2020 campaign video probably isn’t a major cause of stress for former US President Donald Trump. But that lawsuit proceeds, and now the Grant side has got an extension to the case’s discovery phase in order to subpoena Trump’s former Deputy Chief Of Staff Dan Scavino.
Megan Thee Stallion ramps up label dispute, demands a million dollars in damages
Following the recent release of her new album ‘Traumazine’, Megan Thee Stallion has ramped up her ongoing legal battle with her label 1501 Certified Entertainment, now seeking a million dollars in damages as well as court confirmation that she has fulfilled her obligations under her current record deal. She also accuses 1501 of leaking that new album and forcing her to fast track its release.
Venues Refuse to Pay Songwriters While Profiting from Their Music
ASCAP Seeks to Protect its Songwriters’ Livelihoods by Taking Legal Action Against 7 Venues Nationwide for Performing Their Musical Works Without Permission
Read More: https://www.ascap.com/press/2022/08/08-23-venues-refuse-pay-songwriters
Californian Supreme Court rules on free speech claims in Michael Jackson fake vocals dispute
The Californian Supreme Court has ruled against Sony Music and the Michael Jackson estate in regard to a free speech question that was raised after it was alleged that three tracks on the posthumous Michael Jackson album ‘Michael’ did not in fact feature the star’s vocals.
Orleans case sheds light on fees, fees, and more fees
There’s the old joke of three people interviewing for head of royalties. They’re all given the same complicated accounting problem. The first whipped out a calculator and started running numbers at the interview. After a couple hours, the work produced a result. The second asked if he could take it home and came back the next day with a result.
Read More: https://musictechpolicy.com/2022/08/22/orleans-case-sheds-light-on-fees-fees-and-more-fees/
BMI Announces Layoffs After Abandoning Goldman-Assisted Sales Pursuit
About one week after ending its pursuit of a more than billion-dollar sale, Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) has announced a round of layoffs.
Team members were just recently informed of the unfortunate news via email, though at the time of this piece’s writing, none of the affected professionals appeared to have commented publicly on the matter. Similarly, the performance rights organization itself hasn’t yet addressed the subject with a statement on its website.
Read More: https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2022/08/22/bmi-layoffs-2022/?mc_cid=7608ba358a
Is there a green solution to the vinyl record backlog?
The backlog in the vinyl industry since the pandemic began means that artists and some music fans are having to wait around a year to receive their records.
Read More: https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-62426472
Academy unearths long-lost ‘race films’ in Black cinema exhibit
Long before Denzel Washington, Spike Lee or even Sidney Poitier, generations of pioneering and revolutionary Black US filmmakers played a key role in shaping early American cinema and dispelling pejorative stereotypes, a major new Hollywood exhibition argues.
SiriusXM Is Now Compelling Spoken-Word Creators to Waive The ‘Rights to All Underlying Comedy Routines’
Last month, stand-up star Lewis Black became the latest comedian to sue SiriusXM’s Pandora amid a broader royalties dispute. Now, evidence suggests that SiriusXM is attempting to compel different comedy professionals yet to waive their composition rights, possibly in order to add albums to Pandora.
Read More: https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2022/08/18/siriusxm-pandora-comedians-battle/?mc_cid=052b58e43c
SAG-AFTRA’s Lobbying Efforts Helped Seal Exclusivity Deals With Netflix & AMPTP
A confluence of hard bargaining and legislative lobbying helped secure significant gains in two new agreements SAG-AFTRA reached earlier this month covering exclusivity, which are standard provisions in TV contracts that can hold TV series regulars off the market and unable to work for unreasonably long periods of time, guild leaders said in a podcast released on Thursday.
How to make movies without a huge carbon footprint
The green memo sent out by the production team of the programme Poldark asked that the location department use low-carbon suppliers of lighting and reusable batteries wherever possible.
The request was vague and the expectations unclear. But such requests are increasingly mainstream and point to the growing awareness in the film and TV industry of its carbon dioxide emissions.
Read More: https://www.bbc.com/news/business-62051070
How artists are exploiting lax metadata protections by streaming services
While the exact number is in dispute, in what has now become an infamous statistic, at a minimum music streaming services (“DSPs”) are ingesting tens of thousands of new tracks every single day.
At such a scale, metadata becomes a very thorny subject; DSPs, at the mercy of the quality of information provided to them, are sorting through an almost unmanageable wave of data.
YouTube Fights to Limit Data Disclosure in Battle with Grammy-Winning Composer Maria Schneider
In July of 2020, Grammy-winning composer Maria Schneider sued YouTube over alleged Content ID discrimination. Now, about two weeks after a judge rejected the Google-owned platform’s motion to dismiss the long-running complaint, YouTube is fighting to limit the data that it must disclose.
A Closer Look at Trolley — The Canadian Fintech Taking Aim at Royalty Payment Complexity
Between today’s many royalty streams and their distinct tax implications, music industry payments are more complex than ever. Now, with a new name and a multimillion-dollar Series A under its belt, customizable payout platform Trolley is looking to optimize the royalties space.
SAG-AFTRA Reaches Deal With Studios on Actors’ Exclusivity
SAG-AFTRA announced on Monday evening that it has reached a tentative agreement with the major studios on actor exclusivity periods, an issue that has become a top priority for the union in recent years.
TikTok Curators Are Helping Songs Go Viral — and Labels Are Writing Checks
TikTokers used to find music primarily through dance trends. Now they’re gravitating to creators who recommend new songs.
That Was My Idea! How Hollywood Is Avoiding Story Theft Claims
A ragtag group of misfits, each with their own unique skill, bands together to pull off a high-stakes con. Depending on your preferences and streaming subscriptions, the film that comes to mind could be the 1955 classic Rififi, this year’s DreamWorks animated comedy The Bad Guys or any of the dozens of other heist movies like The Sting, Reservoir Dogs, Ocean’s Eleven, Now You See Me and Baby Driver that were released in between.
Read More: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/hollywood-story-theft-claims-1235195241/
WGA West Board Candidates Address Wide Range Of Issues Ahead Of Next Year’s Contract Talks And Possible Strike
Next year’s contract talks and a possible writers strike are looming large over the WGA West’s ongoing board election, in which 17 candidates are vying for eight open seats. The WGA’s current contract doesn’t expire until May 1, but in their campaign statements, many of the candidates are making it clear that they’re prepared to strike if the guild can’t get a fair deal at the bargaining table.
Long-running lawsuit over disputed Michael Jackson vocals dismissed
The long-running lawsuit over whether or not three songs that appeared on a posthumous Michael Jackson album actually featured the vocals of an impersonator has been settled. It follows the recent removal of those songs from said album on the streaming services.
Why’d That Movie Disappear? Welcome to Streaming’s Memory Hole Era
The French director, film critic and voracious cinephile Francois Truffaut once suggested a thought experiment. Imagine, he said, that there was only one copy of a book, and that copy was held in a single library, and you could only read it while inside that library. This was how film lovers were obliged to check out the objects of their desire before repertory theaters, videotape and streaming platforms brought the elusive history of cinema, so long beyond reach, into the palm of our hands.
How Did Two Unknown Latin Music Operators Make $23 Million From YouTube? The IRS Says They Stole It
Inside the brazen but surprisingly simple scheme that took royalties from songs by artists like Daddy Yankee, Anuel AA, Julio Iglesias and more.
Read More: https://www.billboard.com/pro/youtube-fraud-royalties-scam-irs-latin-chenel-yenddi-mediamuv-adrev/
Music producer challenges copyright infringement claims over hit rap song
ATLANTA (CN) — A rap battle found its way to the 11th Circuit on Tuesday, where judges heard arguments in a producer’s appeal of a ruling that he had infringed on rapper Rackboy Cam’s copyright of the 2015 song “Everything Be Lit.”
Taylor Swift Submits Sworn Testimony In Latest ‘Shake It Off’ Copyright Infringement Battle: The Lyrics ‘Were Written Entirely By Me’
Taylor Swift has officially submitted sworn testimony in response to one of multiple copyright infringement lawsuits she’s faced over “Shake It Off.”
The 32-year-old singer-songwriter just recently pushed back against the complaint, which was filed half a decade ago by Sean Hall and Nate Butler, songwriters on a track called “Playas Gon’ Play.”
Read More: https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2022/08/09/taylor-swift-shake-it-off-infringement-suit/
How Did Two Unknown Latin Music Operators Make $23 Million From YouTube? The IRS Says They Stole It
Inside the brazen but surprisingly simple scheme that took royalties from songs by artists like Daddy Yankee, Anuel AA, Julio Iglesias and more.
Read More: https://www.billboard.com/pro/youtube-fraud-royalties-scam-irs-latin-chenel-yenddi-mediamuv-adrev/
SAG-AFTRA Board Approves Tentative Netflix Agreement
SAG-AFTRA Board Approves Tentative Netflix Agreement
Read More: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/sag-aftra-netflix-agreement-1235195196/
musicFIRST chair accuses US radio giants of hypocrisy
The Chairman of the musicFIRST Coalition in the US – former Congress member Joe Crowley – last week accused American radio giants iHeart and Cumulus of hypocrisy after they bigged up their profits to investors on Wall Street while simultaneously telling law-makers in Washington that they can’t afford to pay royalties to record labels and recording artists.
Read More: https://completemusicupdate.com/article/musicfirst-chair-accuses-us-radio-giants-of-hypocrisy/
Judge declines to dismiss Lil Yachty’s Ditto Music lawsuit on jurisdiction grounds
A court in California has declined to dismiss on jurisdiction grounds Lil Yachty’s lawsuit against DIY distributor Ditto Music and its co-founder Lee Parsons. It means the litigation – in relation to the music NFT start-up also founded by Parsons, Opulous – can proceed.
US judge declines to dismiss Maria Schneider legal battle with YouTube over Content ID access
A US judge has declined to dismiss the lawsuit being pursued by musician Maria Schneider against YouTube over who has access to the Google service’s Content ID rights management system.
Susan Cotchin (Good Neighbour Rights): ‘Australia’s decision to limit the application of Art. 15 of WIPO’s WPPT has impacted Australian artists in a big way’
While Europe is still grasping with the impact of the RAAP case, another part of the world, Australia, needs a fix too. Since the country has limited the scope of payments of neighbouring rights to performers, Australian artists are unable to collect their royalties overseas due to the lack of reciprocity.
Neighbouring Rights: It’s Time to Bridge the ‘Broken’ UK-Australia Performer Gap
The last few years have been an incredibly gruelling time for the music industry, the effects of which will be felt for years to come.
Whilst performers have been increasingly diversifying and creatively seeking out alternative sources of income in an attempt to cover the stark drop-off in certain revenue streams (see the exponential rise of music-related NFTs, by way of example), there is one source that, at least between the U.K. and Australia, has been broken for some time now. And it continues to hit British and Australian featured and non-featured performers, producers and session musicians directly in their pocket: neighbouring rights.
Read More: https://themusicnetwork.com/neighbouring-rights-uk-australia/
Legal wrangling over Prince estate over as judge signs off on deal
judge in Minnesota finally signed off earlier this week on a settlement deal in relation to Prince’s estate.
The musician had not prepared a will before his untimely death in 2016, resulting in much legal wrangling between the six siblings – mainly half-siblings – who were named heirs. Along the way there were disagreements about the management of the estate – including who should do the managing – and the decision of three of his siblings to sell some or all of their respective shares in his assets to Primary Wave.
Beyoncé brings all the samples to the yard and they’re like…it’s been licenced
Beyoncé has received backlash on her latest album “Renaissance,” which has resulted in the removal of a sample from her song “Energy” – but not for legal reasons. Headlines such as “Beyoncé Has Removed A “Milkshake” Sample From Her Song “Energy” After Kelis Called It Theft” and “…for allegedly failing to seek permission for usage” suggest that Beyoncé used the sample without the rights clearance, but this is not the case. Kelis is not receiving royalties – and that is an issue – since she is solely a performer of the song, not the copyright owner. The problem for Kelis is with her producers, not Beyoncé.
Read More: https://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2022/08/beyonce-brings-all-samples-to-yard-and.html
Why Warner Bros. Killed ‘Batgirl’: Inside the Decision Not to Release the DC Movie
The death of “Batgirl” on Tuesday sent immediate shockwaves through Hollywood. The film — with a $75 million budget that grew to $90 million due to COVID-related overages — had finished shooting months ago and was in test screenings as directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah (“Bad Boys for Life,” “Ms. Marvel”) worked through the post-production process. Star Leslie Grace (“In the Heights”) had given multiple interviews expressing her enthusiasm for landing the title role and working with co-stars Michael Keaton (as Batman), J.K. Simmons (as her character’s father, Commissioner Gordon) and Brendan Fraser (as the villain, Firefly).
Read More: https://variety.com/2022/film/news/batgirl-movie-why-not-releasing-warner-bros-1235332062/
The Music Week Interview: Merck Mercuriadis
Talk is cheap, as they say, but Merck Mercuriadis can walk the walk. So when, in April 2019, the eloquent Hipgnosis Songs founder and CEO informed Music Week of his plans to reinvent publishing and kickstart a £1 billion “song management revolution”, you could bet your bottom dollar he’d back up his grandiose words with action.
Read More: https://www.musicweek.com/interviews/read/the-music-week-interview-merck-mercuriadis/083981
The Federal Reserve Raises the Interest Rate for the MLC’s Black Box in Good News for Songwriters
We haven’t heard much about it lately, but the Mechanical Licensing Collective quango is sitting on some $500,000,000 of other people’s money since they received that first $424,000,000 tranche according to the MLC’s press release in February 2021. In fairness, they’ve recently started paying it out in drips and drabs. Remember, the $424,000,000 was certain services catching up with the “historical” black box–payments of the songwriters’ own money that should have been paid long ago.
Megan Thee Stallion and Big Sean sued for alleged song-theft
Megan Thee Stallion and Big Sean are the latest artists on the receiving end of a good old song-theft lawsuit, they being accused of ripping off an earlier track on their 2020 collaboration ‘Go Crazy’.
Inside the Multi-Billion Dollar Battle Royale Over Music-Streaming Royalties
It’s hard to think of a more brain-deadening topic than the U.S. Copyright Royalty Board’s proceedings over the rates for music streaming. But deep in the dense legalese lies a heated battle over the billions of dollars in royalties generated by streaming services — one that pits the music industry against some of the biggest companies in the world. At stake is nothing less than the future of the music business and the livelihood of the American songwriter.
An AI for art: Copyright considerations for artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence is driving the information revolution and its presence is increasingly commonplace — for example, in smart speakers, self-driving cars, social media monitoring and healthcare technology, to name but a few.
Duncan Crabtree-Ireland Talks Performers’ Rights in the Digital Age
The Consumer Technology Association returned to Las Vegas in January for its prestigious CES technology event in person, after going online last year due to the pandemic. Considered one of the most influential tech events in the world, CES welcomed more than 40,000 attendees who perused new gadgets and heard remarks from industry leaders at Samsung, General Motors and health care company Abbott Labs, among others.
Sam Smith and Normani hit back against Dancing With A Stranger song-theft lawsuit
The lawsuit that accused Sam Smith and Normani of ripping off their 2019 hit ‘Dancing With A Stranger’ from an earlier song called ‘Dancing With Strangers’ is “rambling”, “repetitive” and contradicts itself. Or so say lawyers representing Smith and Normani.
Music industry as tough as it has always been, watchdog says
The UK’s competition watchdog has found streaming has made the music industry challenging for many artists.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said more than 80% of recorded music was now listened to via streaming, with more than 138 billion streams in the UK last year.
Read More: https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-62305395
Strange Fruits has tens of billions of streams – but it’s not without controversy. Its 25-year-old founder speaks out.
Some people say the modern music business lacks entrepreneurial new independent record companies. Those people haven’t met Stef van Vugt.
The 25-year-old Dutchman founded Strange Fruits (now Fruits Music) in 2016 while studying music as an aspiring DJ.
Audoo Inks Song Detection Deal With APRA AMCOS In Australia & New Zealand
British startup Audoo inks song detection deal with APRA AMCOS in Australia and New Zealand.
Award-winning public performance royalty technology start-up Audoo has partnered with the leading Australasian performing rights organization, APRA AMCOS. The partnership helps ensure fairer and more accurate royalty payments from public performances in Australia and New Zealand.
Read More: https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2022/07/26/audoo-song-detection-deal-apra-amcos/?mc_cid=9c0041ebdb
Streaming Mechanical Complexity Begets Complexity Begets Legal Fees
Remember how the physical mechanical increased from 9.1¢ to 12¢? And it applies to each record sold? If a songwriter got a cut and the artist sold 100 records, the songwriter got $12. That’s $12 today, next month, six months from now. You could plan. You could complain about a statement to the record company. If the record company wanted you to write more songs for their artists, they’d listen and might even fix an error on your statement. Remember: On records and downloads, the record companies pay.
US campaign for a direct artist streaming royalty steps up
This morning, we reported on the latest streaming economics story in the UK: regulator the CMA’s decision not to refer a full market investigation of the music industry.
Now attention is jumping back across the Atlantic to the US, where a prominent politician has announced plans to push for the creation of a new streaming royalty to be paid directly to artists.
Michigan Representative Rashida Tlaib is the politician, and she has sent a letter to Congress outlining her plans, as well as the problems she sees in the streaming market.
Read More: https://musically.com/2022/07/26/us-campaign-for-a-direct-artist-streaming-royalty-steps-up/
SAG-AFTRA to Open Union Eligibility to Intimacy Coordinators
After taking several steps to regulate the role over the last few years, the performers’ union has passed a resolution to offer membership to intimacy coordinators.
Kobalt Music Removes More Than 700,000 Songs From Facebook and Instagram
Kobalt, one of the world’s largest music publishers, has removed its entire 700,000-song catalog from Facebook and Instagram in the United States, a rep for the company confirms to Variety.
‘Recognize the Music’ Initiative Launches to Bring Music Identification Technology to UK Venues
Recognize the Music, described by its organizers as an initiative “to drive fairer, more accurate royalty payments” by bringing Audoo’s music identification tool to UK venues, has officially debuted.
Read More: https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2022/07/22/audoo-recognize-the-music-initiative/?mc_cid=77990bf672
Epidemic Sound sues Meta for copyright infringement
Production music company Epidemic Sound has sued Meta in the US in order to, and I quote, “stop the theft of music created by hundreds of musicians, songwriters, producers and vocalists, theft occurring knowingly, intentionally and brazenly by Meta on its Facebook and Instagram social media platforms on a daily basis”.
Read More: https://completemusicupdate.com/article/epidemic-sound-sues-meta-for-copyright-infringement/
AMRA now directly licensing streaming services in Canada
Kobalt-owned collecting society AMRA this week confirmed it is now directly licensing the mechanical rights of its clients’ songs to streaming services in Canada.
Read More: https://completemusicupdate.com/article/amra-now-directly-licensing-streaming-services-in-canada/
NFTs and Copyright: Some Burning Issues
The last couple of years has seen the emergence of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) as an important medium for the creation, sale and collection of art, with numerous instances of big money purchases of NFTs. NFTs began as a sub-culture of sorts for artists to sell work in a digitised format, but they are now increasingly becoming mainstream, with many major businesses and fashion houses creating their own NFT projects.
Read More: http://copyrightblog.kluweriplaw.com/2022/07/21/nfts-and-copyright-some-burning-issues/
EU Commissioner says copyright directive implementation can include a new ER right for performers
The European Union’s Commissioner For The Internal Market, Thierry Breton, has issued a statement saying that, in principle, EU member states can introduce a new remuneration right for performers when implementing the 2019 European Copyright Directive. Belgium recently did just that, but the move has been criticised by some in the wider music community.
Recognise the Music wants more-accurate public performance payouts
A new initiative in the UK is hoping to make sure public performance royalties are paid out more accurately. It’s called Recognise the Music, and is a partnership involving the Music Venue Trust, Featured Artists Coalition, AIM, the MMF and startup Audoo.
Read More: https://musically.com/2022/07/21/recognise-the-music-wants-more-accurate-public-performance-payouts/
Federal Judge Puts Hold On RMLC’s Legal Maneuver In ASCAP And BMI Rate-Setting.
The radio industry has been dealt a setback in its effort to rework how the federal courts determine how much stations pay to ASCAP and BMI in royalty payments. U.S. District Court Judge John Cronan has granted BMI’s request to put a hold on the lawsuit brought by the Radio Music License Committee until a New York court first decides the process the two sides will go through in their currently pending rate-setting proceeding.
Pro Music Rights Going Public
Pro Music Rights, a music licensing company, has agreed to go public through a reverse merger with Nuvus Gro. The move comes as Pro Music Rights CEO Jake Noch being appointed as Nuvus Gro’s Chairman, CEO and CFO.
Read More: https://radioink.com/2022/07/21/pro-music-rights-going-public/
Warner Music Group Officially Adopts ‘Fan-Powered’ Royalty Model On SoundCloud: ‘Today’s Deal Is a Major Milestone’
About three months after celebrating the anniversary of its fan-powered royalty model, SoundCloud has officially inked a global licensing deal with Warner Music Group. Under the pact, WMG will become the first major label to support payouts based upon actual listening as opposed to a portion of total streams.
Read More: https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2022/07/20/soundcloud-warner-music-group-licensing-deal/
The End of Ownership: Why the Battle Over Paying TV Creatives Is Only Getting Crazier
There’s a storm brewing in Hollywood’s creative community, just as the largest unions and employers are preparing to wrestle anew at the contract bargaining table.
Marvel’s Movie Math: Comic Creators Claim It’s “Bait and Switch” On Payments
Writers and artists who create characters that power the Marvel Cinematic Universe say the company offers a labyrinthine compensation system that underpays them.
Read More: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/marvel-movie-math-comic-creators-1235183158/
CMA declines to recommend a full market investigation into music streaming
The UK’s Competition & Markets Authority has published a lengthy update on its study of the music streaming market.
Although the study is ongoing, the competition regulator says it is not currently planning to launch a more rigorous ‘market investigation’ into music streaming, a move that would have resulted in a much more in-depth analysis of the streaming business and which could have resulted in the CMA intervening in the market with remedies to address issues that have an adverse effect on competition.
YouTube cuts Content ID appeal period from 30 days to seven
YouTube is shortening the waiting window for creators who want to dispute Content ID flags.
Read More: https://www.tubefilter.com/2022/07/19/youtube-content-id-appeal-shortened/
US judge again declines to delay Daniel Ek deposition in Eminem v Spotify case
A US judge has again rejected efforts by Spotify to stop – or at least delay – a deposition of its CEO Daniel Ek as part of an ongoing legal battle with Eminem’s music publisher Eight Mile Style.
Descendants of Que Sera Sera writer in dispute over rights, royalties and termination notices
The granddaughter of the late Jay Livingston – a prolific songwriter perhaps best known from co-writing ‘Que Sera Sera’ – has gone legal in a complicated dispute with her mother over the management of her grandfather’s rights and royalties.
Kanye West sued by production firm over unpaid fees
Another day, another Kanye lawsuit. And yes, that is the second time we’ve said that this week. This time Kanye West is being sued by LA-based production company Phantom Labs which claims it is owed millions in unpaid fees for work it did on events involving the rapper.
Read More: https://completemusicupdate.com/article/kanye-west-sued-by-production-firm-over-unpaid-fees/
Court says Bang’s own TikTok videos infringed Universal’s rights, but not its influencer content
A US judge has ruled by summary judgement that energy drink Bang is liable for copyright infringement for including Universal Music controlled tracks in its promotional videos on TikTok without licence. However, the same judge declined to hold Bang and its parent company Vital Pharmaceuticals liable for unlicensed music in videos posted by TikTok influencers that they worked with.
SAG-AFTRA Members Overwhelmingly Ratify New $200 Million-A-Year Network Television Code
SAG-AFTRA members have voted overwhelmingly to ratify a new Network Television Code, which generates more than $200 million a year in covered earnings for members working on nearly all non-primetime and all non-dramatic primetime television shows, as well as digital media. The vote was 94.67% in favor of ratification.
Jane Campion: Netflix may be more picky over projects after subscriber fall
The Oscar-winning filmmaker Jane Campion says she fears Netflix will be more “picky” about the projects it funds in the future, after the streaming giant saw subscriber numbers fall.
Read More: https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-62051317
European Parliament passes Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act
The European Parliament has voted through the Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act which will, respectively, increase the obligations of digital platforms to deal with harmful content and conduct online, and address concerns around the market dominance of the biggest tech giants.
Jeff Sagansky Says New Streaming Business Model “Has To Be Relegated To The Dust Bin” Now
It’s been a month since Jeff Sagansky’s fiery speech at a NATPE event proclaimed that “we are in a golden age of content production and the dark age of creative profit sharing.” It put the prominent media investor and producer and former top entertainment executive at the center of a conversation about the adverse impact the proliferation of the streaming-driven “cost plus” business model has had on profit participation and ways Hollywood producers, agents and guilds can mobilize and fight to restore backend for creative talent. The issue of vanishing backend, to the tune of as much as $1.5B of lost income a year for creative talent, is expected to be front and center in the looming WGA and other unions’ negotiations with the studios on new a film and TV basic agreement.
When will TikTok start paying the music industry ‘properly’?
Music Business Worldwide sources suggest that TikTok’s deals with rightsholders are currently ‘buy-outs’ rather than ‘revenue share’ deals – i.e. the platform pays a lump sum upfront to license music for a set period, rather than paying a revenue share based on each artist/label’s popularity on its platform.
Read More: https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/podcast/tiktok-start-paying-the-music-industry-properly/
European Parliament Passes the ‘Digital Services Act’ — Sweeping Regulations For ‘Online Marketplaces’ Including Ticket-Resale Platforms
The European Parliament has officially voted in favor of the far-reaching Digital Services Act, which, among other things, will implement a number of operational requirements for ticket-resale platforms.
Read More: https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2022/07/05/digital-services-act-passes/?mc_cid=3b76e20f68
Britney Spears accuses former business manager of being involved in setting up conservatorship
Britney Spears’ attorney Mathew Rosengart has filed new legal papers accusing the company that formerly worked as his client’s business manager – Tri Star Sports & Entertainment Group – of being directly involved in setting up and then benefitting from the conservatorship that oversaw the star’s career and personal life from 2008 until last year.
US Copyright Royalty Board reconfirms 15.1% streaming rate for songwriters and publishers
The American Copyright Royalty Board has upheld its previous decision regarding the top-line streaming royalty rate for songs, which increased the percentage of streaming service revenue allocated to the song rights in the US from 10.5% to 15.1%. Most of the streaming services – with Apple Music the notable exception – previously appealed that decision.
Global Indie Producers Voice Concerns Of IP Retention When Working With Streamers — KVIFF Industry Panel
A host of global independent producers attending the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival have voiced their concerns on the issue of IP retention when it comes to working with the streamers in their local territories and are urging more agreeable terms in partnerships.
Justin Timberlake Sued For Big Bucks In Lost Profit Sharing From Shelved ’20/20 Experience’ Documentary
Justin Timberlake has just discovered that Hell may hath no legal fury like a documentary director scorned.
The former NSYNC member is being sued in federal court by long time music video helmer John Urbano over a film about Timberlake’s blockbuster The 20/20 Experience album that has never seen the light of day. Under a profit-sharing plan initiated supposedly by Timberlake, he and advertising vet Urbano would film the docu under the radar and bring it to market along with the release of the long-awaited album.
Read More: https://deadline.com/2022/07/justin-timberlake-lawsuit-profits-album-documentary-1235055606/
Clint Eastwood Wins $2M in Trademark Infringement Suit Over Fake CBD Endorsement
Clint Eastwood was awarded $2 million in a lawsuit accusing a CBD retailer of stealing his name and likeness to promote its products. The verdict is the second in favor of the actor in a pair of suits against CBD manufacturers and marketers that fabricated news articles and manipulated search results to make it appear that the actor endorsed their products.
What Are the Differences Between Making Sync Music and Artist Music?
One of the best ways to make money as a musician is through sync (ie: licensing). Dive into that world, however, and you’ll quickly discover there’s a vast difference between that business and the traditional “artist” model.
APRA AMCOS Welcomes Aotearoa Copyright Extension – EU-NZ FTA A
APRA AMCOS today welcomes the completion of the free trade agreement between Aotearoa New Zealand and the European Union.
“This is a significant announcement for New Zealand on many fronts but the confirmation of the extension of the term of copyright is something that will benefit the entire creative community here in Aotearoa” says Anthony Healey, Head of APRA AMCOS’ New Zealand.
Kanye West sued over uncleared sample on Donda 2
Kanye West has been sued over an allegedly uncleared sample in a track on his recent ‘Donda 2’ album. According to the publisher of the sampled song, West’s track ‘Flowers’ repeats the uncleared sample at least 22 times.
Read More: https://completemusicupdate.com/article/kanye-west-sued-over-uncleared-sample-on-donda-2/
Frank Zappa Catalogs and Archives Sell to Universal Music Group
The rock icon’s music assets carry a valuation of between $25-30 million, according to Billboard estimates.
Los Angeles Film & TV Productions Must Now Require Masking Indoors As Covid Numbers Hit “Escalation Trigger’ Threshold, Says L.A. Official
That’s according to Los Angeles County Public Health Officer Barbara Ferrer, and also seemingly according to the film and TV industry’s current Return-to-Work Agreement.
Ricky Martin Hit With $3M Unpaid Commissions Lawsuit; Ex-Manager Claims She Saved Him From “Potentially Career-Ending Allegation”
Ricky Martin’s former talent manager has issued a stark warning to the Grammy winner and Emmy nominee: pay up or reap the whirlwind. Specifically, in “excess of USD $3,000,000, or according to proof, and unpaid commissions are accruing on an ongoing basis,” reads a complaint filed Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court by Rebeeca Drucker against The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story star.
SoundExchange Sues LiveOne and Slacker Over ‘Millions’ In Unpaid Royalties
SoundExchange is officially suing LiveOne and Slacker for allegedly failing to pay owed royalties for streams from the last five-plus years.
Read More: https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2022/06/29/soundexchange-liveone-slacker-lawsuit/?mc_cid=db2761d5d3
Watered-Down ‘Fair Act’ Fails In California Senate — As Its Actor Counterpart Cruises Out of Committee
Earlier this month, reports indicated that California lawmakers would once again consider legislation (still referred to as the FAIR Act despite a formal name change) designed to modify the controversial “seven-year statute” for artists. Now, the newest iteration of the bill has failed to make it out of committee.
Read More: https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2022/06/29/fair-act-fails-ca-senate/?mc_cid=db2761d5d3
Universal Music sued over Tupac photo
Universal Music has been sued by the estate of photographer Chi Modu over an image of Tupac Shakur that features on a post on the major’s own editorial website uDiscoverMusic.com. The estate says it controls the rights in the image and it’s being used without licence.
Read More: https://completemusicupdate.com/article/universal-music-sued-over-tupac-photo/
Ahead of the CRB’s Phonorecords III Determination, Are Streaming Services Preparing for a Major Rate Hike?
The Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) could be preparing to issue a major royalty-rate hike for streaming services, which are reportedly looking to delay retroactive payments for the 2018-2022 (Phonorecords III) period.
Read More: https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2022/06/27/streaming-services-phonorecords-iii/?mc_cid=c5ce7d42fd
IMPALA calls for French style agreements on fair digital remuneration instead of ER
The pan-European trade group for the independent music community, IMPALA, has urged European countries seeking to address concerns around fair remuneration in the digital music sector to follow the French approach, not the Belgian approach. In France a voluntary agreement has been reached within the industry setting a number of new standards, whereas in Belgium a new performer equitable remuneration right has been added into copyright law.
Domino comments on Four Tet settlement, insists no precedent set
Domino Records has issued a statement following the news earlier this week that it had reached a settlement with Four Tet ending an on going legal battle over digital royalties. The label was keen to stress that it had made various previous efforts to settle the dispute, while also adding that – because the matter was settled out of court – no precedent has been set regarding how old record deals should be interpreted when it comes to sharing streaming money.
Europe’s Theatrical Window Standoff Gives Studios Pause Over Strategy
After two years of pandemic upheaval, one of the biggest debates in the movie industry appears to be settled.
The return of the old-fashioned blockbuster — see the supersonic success of Paramount Picture’s Top Gun: Maverick ($900 million and counting) and Universal’s Jurassic World: Dominion, which is closing in on $650 million worldwide — has appeared to have convinced studios of the value of the exclusive theatrical window.
Domino Records settles Four Tet dispute, commits to pay 50% royalty on digital
Domino Records has settled its legal battle with Four Tet over what royalty rate he should be paid on streams. The label has agreed to pay a 50% royalty, which is what the musician argued he was due under his 2001 record deal. It had previously been paying him 18% of any streaming income generated by his Domino released records.
Ed Sheeran awarded £900,000+ costs following win in Shape Of You song-theft case
Ed Sheeran and his ‘Shape Of You’ co-writers have been awarded more than £900,000 in legal costs following their win in the headline-grabbing song-theft case in the London high court in relation to that work.
Four Tet wins royalty battle over streaming music
Pioneering electronic artist Four Tet has reached a settlement in the legal battle against his former record label.
The musician, whose real name is Kieran Hebden, sued Domino Records last year over the royalties he gets paid when his music is downloaded or streamed.
Read More: https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-61871547
Jimi Hendrix Experience dispute should happen in New York, says Sony
Sony Music last week told the high court in London that a dispute over the rights in the Jimi Hendrix Experience recordings should be heard in the New York courts, because the legal battle centres on agreements signed in the 1970s in the US. And a separate lawsuit in relation to this dispute has already been filed with the courts in New York.
Warner Music sued again over international deductions
Two members of American rock band Orleans have sued Warner Music over a common gripe in the artist community: record companies allowing their foreign subsidiaries to make deductions on digital income and then calculating the artist royalty based on what is received by the label in the artist’s home country after those deductions.
Read More: https://completemusicupdate.com/article/warner-music-sued-again-over-international-deductions/
Belgium introduces ER right on streams
Belgium’s Parliament yesterday updated the country’s copyright laws to bring them in line with the 2019 European Copyright Directive and in doing so added a performer equitable remuneration right for streaming. It means that performers in the country will receive at least some of their streaming royalties directly from the services, most likely via the collective licensing system.
Read More: https://completemusicupdate.com/article/belgium-introduces-er-right-on-streams/
Cost of living: Music subscriptions cancelled to save money
Over one million music streaming subscriptions have been cancelled in the UK, with the cost of living crisis forcing households to make savings.
Read More: https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-61825677
Long walk to copyright reform #4: South Africa’s Parliamentary Committee approves a revised Copyright Amendment Bill
Some progress has been made on the legislative front in terms of South Africa’s journey to amend its copyright statute. On Friday last week (10 June 2022), South Africa’s Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry adopted its report on the Copyright Amendment Bill (CAB) and the Performers’ Protection Amendment Bill and approved both bills for second reading. This opens the way for the next step in the reform process…
Read More: https://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2022/06/long-walk-to-copyright-reform-4-south.html
Ten things to know about NFTs
Recently, I spoke in the PRS London Members’ Day panel about NFTs, alongside Cliff Fluet (Lewis Silkin) and Mike Walsh (Serenade). There has obviously been a considerable amount of excitement around non-fungible tokens (NFTs) over the last few years and some interesting developments in the last few months. Here is a roundup of the key things to know and keep an eye on.
Read More: https://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2022/06/ten-things-to-know-about-nfts.html
As David Zaslav Reshapes Warner Bros., Are His New Film Execs on the Same Page?
Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy built their reputations with a relationship-driven, filmmaker-friendly approach — but that style might be at odds with the imperative to save money.
WME Fraud Lawsuit From ‘La La Land’ Composer Gets 2023 Jury Trial Date – Update
A Los Angeles Superior Court judge this morning set May 8, 2023 as the date the court battle between Justin Hurwitz and the Endeavor-owned talent agency and the now divested Endeavor Content. The almost certain to be juicy jury trial in DTLA will be overseen by Judge Barbara Scheper.
John Wells Says Industry “Will Have To Return To More Shared Rights Agreements” In Response To Jeff Sagansky’s Speech About Vanishing Backend – HRTS
It became the speech heard around Hollywood — Jeff Sagansky’s blistering comments last week about the adverse impact the proliferation of the streaming-driven “cost plus” business model has had on profit participation struck a chord in the industry. A week after Deadline wrote about the media investor and producer’s speech at a NATPE event, the discussion over the issue continues, with agencies and unions mulling ways to step in and help the creative talent they represent.
New board and Chair for global collecting society grouping SCAPR
SCAPR – the global organisation for performer collecting societies – has a new board following an election at its General Assembly in Rome last week.
Mariah Carey sued for copyright over ‘All I want for Christmas is You’
Singer Mariah Carey is being sued for copyright infringement over her 1994 Christmas mega-hit, All I Want for Christmas is You.
Songwriter Andy Stone says he co-wrote a song with the same name five years earlier, arguing that Ms Carey exploited his “popularity” and “style”.
Read More: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-61688826
After Michael Jordan: a new typical case on what is the right of likeness under the Civil Code of China
On the topic of unauthorized use of a celebrity’s image, readers might recall the IPKat post covering the high-profile Michael Jordan case in China in 2017. Regarding the monochrome red-coloured silhouette of, let’s say, an unspecified person, this Kat commented as follows:
Read More: https://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2022/06/after-michael-jordan-new-typical-case.html
Robbie Williams: Fame ‘intoxicating but isolating’
Singer Robbie Williams has said fame “should come with a health warning” as he gears up for a homecoming gig.
The star, who has had a string of hits since joining Take That at 16 years old in 1990, returns to his native Stoke-on-Trent later for the one-off concert.
Read More: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-61683092
Animation Guild Organizer Outlines Renewed Push to Build Labor Power
Organizer Ben Speight discusses bringing production workers back into IATSE Local 839, expanding its jurisdiction beyond L.A. County for the first time and how workers today are showing they “are not the animation workers of the recent past.”
How Hollywood May Be Sabotaging Profits With New Push to Pay Talent Upfront | Charts
Studios and streamers believe they’re saving money in the long run, but they could actually be hurting quality and the bottom line
Read More: https://www.thewrap.com/hollywood-talent-compensation-streamers-analysis/
Hong Kong – Copyright (Amendment) Bill 2022 Gazetted
Readers may recall that the Government of Hong Kong launched a 3-month consultation on updating Hong Kong’s copyright regime on 24 November 2021.
Following this consultation, the Government reported that the Copyright (Amendment) Bill 2022 was gazetted on 27 May 2022 (last Friday). A copy of the Copyright (Amendment) Bill 2022 (“the Bill”) can be found here. As expected, the Bill covers the following five key areas covered in the amendment bill 2014:-
Read More: https://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2022/06/hong-kong-copyright-amendment-bill-2022.html
Live Concerts Are Back, But Small Venues Face Longer Road to Recovery
While ticketing giants offer bullish forecasts for the return of concertgoers this year, indie operators who have relied on federal grants to stay afloat amid COVID-19 are more measured: “There’s so much more to do, and the pain is very real.”
Behind Netflix’s Leaner Movie Mandate: Bigger, Fewer and Better
The Scott Stuber-run division is adjusting to a new set of realities as it readies a $200 million-plus ‘The Gray Man’ from the ‘Avengers: Endgame’ helmers and a pricey set of ‘Knives Out’ sequels.
Behind Netflix’s Leaner Movie Mandate: Bigger, Fewer and Better
The Scott Stuber-run division is adjusting to a new set of realities as it readies a $200 million-plus ‘The Gray Man’ from the ‘Avengers: Endgame’ helmers and a pricey set of ‘Knives Out’ sequels.
Jeff Sagansky Slams Streaming-Driven TV Business Model: “We Are In A Golden Age Of Content Production And The Dark Age Of Creative Profit Sharing”
Jeff Sagansky, a media investor and producer and former top entertainment executive, is sounding the alarm on the adverse impact the now prevalent “cost plus” business model has had on profit participation. The setup, originally introduced by Netflix and subsequently adopted by most major streamers and TV studios, reverses a decades-long practice of above-the-line talent on hit series being handsomely rewarded with a cut of the profits that continues to generate income for decades after the show’s creation.
Austrian Supreme Court finds YouTube not responsible for copyright infringements by users
The Austrian Supreme Court held that YouTube – as a host service provider – was not responsible for copyright infringements by its users as long as it was not put on notice of the infringements (17. 9. 2021, 4 Ob 132/21x).
Anita Baker thanks Chance The Rapper for helping out in her recent masters dispute
Anita Baker has publicly thanked Chance The Rapper for helping her regain control of her master recordings after spotting him in the audience at a show in Las Vegas this weekend.
Round Hill sues B.o.B in royalty rights dispute
Round Hill Music has sued the rapper B.o.B claiming that he owes them $3 million after reneging on a past royalty rights agreement.
Read More: https://completemusicupdate.com/article/round-hill-sues-b-o-b-in-royalty-rights-dispute/
Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos Defends Dave Chappelle, Ricky Gervais Free Speech: “It Used To Be A Very Liberal Issue”
In a wide-ranging interview published today in the New York Times, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos has doubled down on his prior defenses of artistic freedom, backing comedians Dave Chappelle and Ricky Gervais.
Village Roadshow’s Lawsuit Against Warner Bros. Over ‘Matrix Resurrections’ Sent to Arbitration
The case highlights escalating tension between talent who stand to profit from theatrical releases and media companies seeking to draw viewers to their streaming services.
‘Rust’ Script Supervisor’s Lawsuit Can Seek Punitive Damages, Judge Rules – Update
UPDATED, 4:14 PM: A Superior Court judge in Los Angeles has ruled that Mamie Mitchell, the script supervisor who was standing next to cinematographer Halyna Hutchins when she was fatally shot with a prop weapon fired by actor Alec Baldwin on the Rust film set, can seek punitive damages from some of the producers who sought to have the damages stricken.
Animation Guild & AMPTP Reach Tentative Deal On Film & TV Contract
The Animation Guild, IATSE Local 839, and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers have drawn up a tentative agreement on a new film and television contract. The deal comes after a month’s worth of total negotiation days since November.
Read More: https://deadline.com/2022/05/animation-guild-amptp-deal-film-tv-contract-1235034619/
#StopCRBAbuse: Can Songwriters stop Big Tech from demanding your contracts and royalty earnings be handed over to them in Copyright Royalty Board?
As I posted recently (“Google’s Shameful Bullying Tactics on Display Again in CRB“), Google has once again turned its lawyers loose to run roughshod over songwriters in their latest theater of lawfare, this time the Copyright Royalty Board in the rate setting for streaming mechanicals. They are using their bottomless litigation budget to treat the government’s rate-setting agency as though it was a Federal court hearing a copyright case where Google was hell-bent on stealing someone else’s work product (like the widely criticized decision in Google v. Oracle). It’s all the same to Google and their grotesquely maniacal legal crew. File this under News from the Goolag.
Commission sends reasoned opinions to 13 Member States for failure to transpose CDSM Directive into national law
Last week, the European Commission sent reasoned opinions to 13 Member States (Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Greece, France, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden) for failure to notify the Commission of transposition measures on copyright and related rights in the Digital Single Market (Directive (EU) 2019/790) (CDSM Directive)
How the Publishing World Is Muscling In on Hollywood Deals: For Authors, “The Future Is Multihyphenate”
Books and magazine articles have long provided the IP Hollywood depends on, but until recently, authors played little role in the process. Now, lit agencies and publishers are changing the rules and shortening the page-to-screen pipeline.
How the Publishing World Is Muscling In on Hollywood Deals: For Authors, “The Future Is Multihyphenate”
Books and magazine articles have long provided the IP Hollywood depends on, but until recently, authors played little role in the process. Now, lit agencies and publishers are changing the rules and shortening the page-to-screen pipeline.
U.S. Copyright Office Issues a Supplemental Interim Rule Related to the Music Modernization Act Reports of Usage and Payment
Pursuant to Title I of the Orrin G. Hatch–Bob Goodlatte Music Modernization Act, the Copyright Office has issued a supplemental interim rule updating certain reporting requirements for digital music providers. The updates relate to reports of adjustment and annual reports of usage that digital music providers submit to the Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC).
TikTok has changed music — and the industry is hustling to catch up
Tyler Colon played college basketball. He won an MTV reality show. He’s tried podcasting, modeling, and acting. But in 2019, he got serious about pursuing music.
Cannes: Is the Film Industry Really Ready to Embrace NFTs?
From Blockchain to Web 3.0 and DAOs, there are a lot of new buzzwords out there — and plenty of skepticism — but supporters say these new technologies can make filmmaking more accessible, transparent and efficient: “We are just scratching the surface.”
The Unheard Battle Over Social Media Licensing
Last year, the Financial Times captured an amazing detail in its profile of Lucian Grainge, the CEO of Universal Music Group. The story closed with Grainge on the Zoom call giving instructions on how to deal with social media companies in licensing negotiations. An anonymously quoted former UMG employee said: “he has ice in his veins” to describe how the industry-leading boss deals with technology rivals on the other side of the negotiating table.
Read More: https://pennyfractions.ghost.io/the-unheard-battle-over-social-media-licensing/
Google’s Shameful Bullying Tactics on Display Again in Copyright Royalty Board
File this under News from the Goolag. In case you had any illusions that Google has fully lost whatever shred of human decency they may have had, we just got even more confirmation in the CRB of the expense and invasiveness of Google’s lawfare against songwriters.
US court says Toni Basil is sole owner of Mickey masters
The Ninth Circuit appeals court in the US last week ruled that Toni Basil is the sole owner of the recording copyright in her hit song ‘Mickey’ as part of a long-running dispute around the good old termination right in American copyright law.
Read More: https://completemusicupdate.com/article/us-court-says-toni-basil-is-sole-owner-of-mickey-masters/
Alan Parsons awarded nearly $5 million in dispute with former manager
A US court last week awarded Alan Parsons nearly $5 million in damages as part of a dispute with his former manager, John Regna of World Entertainment Associates Of America. Judge and jury together found that Regna was liable for trademark infringement, unfair competition and breach of fiduciary duty, among other things.
French performer and label groups reach voluntary agreement regarding digital remuneration
Various organisations representing French artists, performers and labels have welcomed an agreement finalised last week regarding the sharing of streaming monies.
Josh Hawley And Other Republicans Want To End Special “Handouts” To Disney And Other Corporations, But As Punishment Not Policy (Analysis)
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) followed up on his attack on Disney last week with an op-ed on FoxNews.com in which he argued that corporations were attacking American values by weighing in on divisive social issues. “Big business is no friend to conservatives — that’s been clear for years. And it’s increasingly no friend to America,” he wrote.
Read More: https://deadline.com/2022/05/disney-republicans-culture-war-fight-woke-companies-1235022457/
Netflix Stumbles and Hollywood Gloats: “The Days of the Blank Check Are Over”
The streamer’s financial woes have inspired schadenfreude from its competitors and even some of its own showrunners. Here’s where the ill will comes from—and what insiders say the streamer must do next.
Read More: https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/05/netflix-stumbles-and-hollywood-gloats
‘What is currently an opaque black box of song royalties, needs to be transformed into a glass box.’
Against a backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, the last two years have placed a renewed focus on many of the recorded music market’s glaring dysfunctions.
Andy Warhol Foundation v. Goldsmith: The Supreme Court Revisits Transformative Fair Uses
In its landmark 1994 decision Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music, Inc., 510 U.S. 569 (1994), the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruled that Campbell’s creation of a rap parody version of a popular Roy
Orbison song could be fair use because it transformed the original song by adding something new, with a different purpose, or a new meaning or message. Since then, courts in the U.S. have grappled with how broadly or narrowly to interpret the concept of transformativeness when assessing fair use defenses to charges of copyright infringement. The
Live Nation Should Be Broken Up, Says New Jersey Congressman, Citing Safety Record
Concert promotion giant Live Nation should be broken up, according to New Jersey Democratic Congressman Bill Pascrell, who claims its safety record is disturbing.
Pascrell cited the recent attack on comedian Dave Chappelle and the Travis Scott Astroworld tragedy that resulted in the death of 10 people and numerous inuries.
WGA East Executive Director Lowell Peterson Sets Stage For Showdown With Studios Next Year
The WGA is gearing up for a showdown with the major companies next year. In his annual report, WGA East executive director Lowell Peterson told his members that the WGA East and West “have a lot of work to do at the bargaining table next year … to ensure that our members can sustain meaningful careers as the industry continues its transformation.”
Read More: https://deadline.com/2022/05/wga-east-sets-stage-for-showdown-with-studios-1235018388/
New inflation matching settlement on US disc and download song royalty rate welcomed
A plethora of organisations from across the US music industry have welcomed a new proposed settlement regarding the mechanical royalty rate paid on discs and downloads Stateside, after an initial proposal from the National Music Publishers Association and the major labels was widely criticised by songwriter groups.
Read More: https://completemusicupdate.com/article/new-inflation-matching-settlement-on-us-disc-and-download-song-royalty-rate-welcomed/
SGA, SCL & MCNA ‘Extremely Pleased’ With Mechanical Royalty Rate Increase Decision In the US — Here’s Their Statement
Major label and publishing conglomerates Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, and Warner Music Group, as well as other publishers represented by the NMPA, have tentatively agreed to increase mechanical royalty rates on physical products and downloads in the United States from 9.1 cents to 12 cents per song use. Already, independent music organizations including SGA, SCL and MCNA are reacting to the move — here’s their official statement on the matter as shared with Digital Music News.
‘If the music industry wants to continue its exponential growth, its data backbone needs to become significantly more efficient.’
Verifi Media recently announced the launch of the Verifi Rights Data Alliance (“VRDA”), with partnerships in place with Warner Music Group, Warner Chappell, FUGA, Unison Rights and Deezer.
Together, these inaugural members have committed to using Verifi’s services to enhance, collaborate and share music rights data, with the cumulative aim of improving each of their businesses.
TikTok Will Share Ad Revenue with Creators — Here’s How It Works & Who Is Eligible
TikTok wants to keep its massive influx of new users. It has announced plans to share ad revenue with creators.
Live Nation Revenue Soars As Concert Ticket Sales Recover
The ticketing giant recorded first quarter revenue of $1.8 billion, up from $290 million in the year-earlier quarter impacted by COVID-19.
A New Study Confirms the Obvious: Major Labels Control Spotify Playlists
A Spotify playlist study has found that the Big Three labels (UMG, Warner, Sony) benefit most from curated playlists. In many cases, they practically control them.
Consultancy firm Music Tomorrow published the study, dissecting how playlists impact emerging artists. The study finds that over the last four years, major labels accounted for nearly 70% of the music featured in the ‘New Music Friday’ playlist on Spotify. Of that number, 30% was UMG content, while 19% was for Warner and 19% for Sony.
Kanye West sued over sermon sample on Donda
Kanye West has been sued by a Texas-based pastor who claims that a track on the rapper’s ‘Donda’ album samples one of his sermons without licence. That copyright infringement, the pastor’s lawsuit stresses, has resulted in a “considerable influx of ill-gotten financial gains and other benefits” for West and his label.
Read More: https://completemusicupdate.com/article/kanye-west-sued-over-sermon-sample-on-donda/
US Court Orders Every ISP in the United States to Block Illegal Streaming Sites
More than a decade after U.S. lawmakers scuttled the controversial SOPA legislation that would’ve required ISPs to block pirate sites, a US court has demonstrated that the ability to block sites has been available all along. Injunctions issued in response to lawsuits against three pirate streaming services require every ISP in the United States to prevent subscribers from accessing them.
Hollywood CEO Pay: The Year of the Nine-Figure Club
Endeavor’s Ari Emanuel is in (to the tune of $300 million) and Warner Bros. Discovery chief David Zaslav returns in THR’s annual look at executive compensation.
Hollywood CEO Pay: The Year of the Nine-Figure Club
Endeavor’s Ari Emanuel is in (to the tune of $300 million) and Warner Bros. Discovery chief David Zaslav returns in THR’s annual look at executive compensation.
Netflix’s Big Wake-Up Call: The Power Clash Behind the Crash
As rivals toggle between schadenfreude and fear, top creators and insiders are increasingly becoming vocal about what’s gone wrong with the streaming giant’s culture.
U.K. Eyes Regulation of Streaming Services, Protections for “Distinctly British” Content
A white paper says the government will move ahead with plans for a sale of Channel 4 and promises “a new golden age of programming” for TV and radio lovers and regulations “fit for the streaming age.”
Drake dismissed from song-theft lawsuit over his Chris Brown collab
The songwriters who have accused Chris Brown and Drake of ripping off one of their tracks on the 2019 hit ‘No Guidance’ have dismissed their legal claims against the latter, but not the former. Though it’s not currently entirely clear why.
European Union High Court Upholds Article 17 of Controversial Copyright Directive — Music Industry Organizations React
The Court of Justice has officially upheld Article 17 of the controversial EU Copyright Directive, which makes certain “online content-sharing service providers” (as opposed to users) liable for the unauthorized use of protected media. Music industry organizations including Impala and the European Composer and Songwriter Alliance are reacting to the decision.
Article 17 of the DSM Directive is valid: an early take on today’s Grand Chamber ruling
As The IPKat reported earlier today, nearly 3 years after the Republic of Poland lodged its action (C-401/19) against the European Parliament and the Council requesting that the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) annul Article 17 of the DSM Directive – in part or as a whole – due to an alleged conflict with the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and its Article 11 (freedom of expression and information), this morning the Grand Chamber of the CJEU ruled that Article 17 is compatible with freedom of expression/information.
Read More: https://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2022/04/article-17-of-dsm-directive-is-valid.html
US Supreme Court declines to answer key question for dealing with song-theft disputes
The US Supreme Court has declined to hear a song-theft dispute in relation to ‘You Raise Me Up’, the song made famous by Josh Groban or Westlife depending on where you live.
Cher’s dispute with Sonny Bono estate over termination right continues
The widow of Sonny Bono has urged a Californian court to throw out a recent legal claim made by Cher, which centres on how the pesky termination right in US copyright law impacts on a deal done in the 1970s after Bono and Cher split up both professionally and personally.
Appeal court judges say Jay-Z is owed royalties for former perfume partner
It turns out that Jay-Z may as yet get millions of dollars in allegedly unpaid royalties from the perfume company he collaborated with back in 2013.
Roger Daltrey says the music industry has been “stolen” from artists
Roger Daltrey has said he believes that the music industry has been “stolen” from artists during a recent interview.
Speaking to The Independent, the frontman of The Who claimed that the band’s 2019 studio album ‘WHO’ left him £10,000 out of pocket. “Musicians cannot earn a living in the record industry anymore,” Daltrey told the publication.
Live music revenue fell again in 2021, despite gigs returning
Royalties from live performances of music fell almost 30% in 2021, despite concerts resuming in the summer.
Concert revenues were just £8m, down from £11.3m in 2020 and £54m in 2019, said PRS for Music, the body that collects royalties for songwriters.
Only 19,300 setlists were reported last year, it added, marking a huge decline from the 124,000 reported pre-pandemic.
Read More: https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-61187598
How Hollywood Unions Wield “Do Not Work” Orders Against Employers
SAG-AFTRA, the Writers Guild and Actors’ Equity use the missives to try to keep projects they find problematic in line over financing and labor issues — a tactic that may be more effective in today’s environment.
Actors launch campaign against AI ‘show stealers’
Actors’ livelihoods are at risk from artificial intelligence (AI) unless the law changes, a union warns.
Equity, the performing arts workers union, has launched a new campaign, “Stop AI Stealing the Show”.
AI can use samples of an actor’s voice or face, to generate content including so-called “deep fakes”.
Read More: https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-61166272
Alec Baldwin: Rust film producers were indifferent to gun safety – report
The producers of a film whose cinematographer was accidentally shot dead on set by Alec Baldwin have been fined and strongly criticised by authorities for failing to follow safety guidelines.
The makers of Rust showed “plain indifference to recognised hazards associated with use of firearms on set”, according to the New Mexico Environment Department.
The agency has issued the maximum $136,793 (£105,000) fine to Rust Movie Productions.
Read More: https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-61169495
New filing in Universal Music’s termination rights litigation
A group of artists suing Universal Music in the US in a dispute over the termination right in American copyright law filed new papers with the court on Friday seeking class certification, so that they can represent any artists who are seeking to enforce that right against the major.
California’s Fair Act, Addressing Seven-Year Rule, Will Separate Issues of Musicians From Actors
The issue of predatory recording contracts, which can tie a musician up for longer than seven years, will be considered separately from its counterpart in the acting world, it was announced on Monday by a coalition of trade groups including SAG-AFTRA, Music Artists Coalition, the Black Music Action Coalition, California Labor Federation and Songwriters of North America.
@RIAA Chief’s Proposal to Settle the Frozen Mechanicals Crisis by Expanding the Songwriters at the Table
The frozen mechanicals crisis points up one of the key problems in administering the statutory mechanical license in the US: Songwriters are a fragmented group. Merely chanting to courts that you represent all songwriters and publishers in the world when you know that is not reflective of reality is not a recipe for successful negotiations. It was only a matter of time until one of these deals imposed on the songwriter community turned sour. Frozen mechanicals turned out to be the black ice on the Nantucket sleigh ride.
Yes, Blockchain might well revolutionise music royalties. No, it’s not going to happen anytime soon.
Whenever we are presented with exciting new technological ideas and advancements, whether it’s self-driving cars, VR or blockchain technology, we often overestimate the effect it may have on our lives in the short term, whilst under-estimating any long term impact.
Judges in the US have hinted that the mechanical royalty rate paid to publishers and songwriters for vinyl sales should rise. The major labels’ lawyers have come out swinging.
It’s a process awash with legalese – to the point of tedium.
But there’s a very important debate going on in the US over certain types of mechanical royalty rates paid to songwriters right now, and you need to know about it.
Bieber producer sues over points dispute
Australian producer and sound engineer Chris ‘Tek’ O’Ryan has sued Justin Bieber’s manager Scooter Braun and the company JRC Entertainment over allegations promises were broken regarding producer royalties on a number of Bieber tracks that he helped produce.
Read More: https://completemusicupdate.com/article/bieber-producer-sues-over-points-dispute/
SAG-AFTRA Board Overwhelmingly Approves New $1 Billion-A-Year Commercials Contract, Urges Membership Ratification
SAG-AFTRA’s national board voted today to approve a tentative agreement on a new $1 billion-a-year commercials contract and to recommend its ratification to the guild’s members. The deal, which was approved by 93% of the national board members, was reached Tuesday with the Joint Policy Committee of the advertising industry. Bargaining got underway February 16 in New York.
Ed Sheeran: Copyright case was about honesty, not money
Ed Sheeran says his recent High Court copyright case over one of his songs was not about money but honesty and standing up for what was right.
The singer-songwriter told BBC Two’s Newsnight he did not have a choice but to defend his work in court.
Read More: https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-61026308
LA court dismisses foreign royalties lawsuit filed against Universal by former Beach Boy
An LA court has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a former member of the Beach Boys which took issue with the way Universal Music accounts and reports artist royalties for streams in markets other than the US.
Warner Bros. Discovery Megadeal Closes, Creating Scripted and Unscripted Content Giant
Discovery and AT&T’s WarnerMedia have officially closed their merger on Friday, creating a new media and entertainment giant titled Warner Bros. Discovery. The completion comes about 11 months after the $43 billion mega-deal was unveiled, faster than most observers had anticipated at the time.