News

The Senate passed a new version of the Music Modernization Act (MMA) as an amendment to another bill this week, a marked improvement over the version passed by the House of Representatives earlier in the year. Read more: https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2018/09/19/music-modernization-act-older-recordings/

PRESS RELEASE The Content Creators Coalition (c3) and MusicAnswers released the following statement reacting to the Senate passing the Music Modernization Act: “The Content Creators Coalition (c3) and MusicAnswers applaud the Senate passage and expected prompt House passage of the Music Modernization Act. The bill is a great step forward towards a fairer music ecosystem that … Continue reading "@ArtistRightsNow @MusicAnswersNow: Musicians And Songwriters Celebrate Senate Passage Of The Music Modernization Act"

The music industry has applauded the passage of the Music Modernisation Act in the US Senate by unanimous consent. It now just awaits final reconsideration by the House of Representatives (where it already passed by 415-0) and the signature of President Trump. Read more: http://www.musicweek.com/publishing/read/this-is-a-significant-victory-for-rights-holders-biz-welcomes-passing-of-music-modernisation-act/073864

The long road to copyright revision is nearing its end as the U.S. Senate passed the Music Modernization Act by unanimous consent Tuesday (Sept. 18). The move mimics the House’s unilateral support, previously passing the bill by a vote of 415-0 back in April. Read more: https://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/legal-and-management/8475877/music-modernization-act-passes-in-senate-with

The music industry was quick to react to the United States Senate’s unanimous passages of S. 2823 the Music Modernization Act, a bipartisan bill cosponsored by more than 80 Senators that brings the music licensing system into the digital age. Read more: http://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2018/09/industry-reacts-to-music-modernization-act-senate-passage-soundexchange-ascap-riaa-c3-more.html

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit on Tuesday (Sept. 18) upheld the Copyright Royalty Board webcasting rate determination for the period of 2016-2020 on all counts. Read more: https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8475869/us-court-appeals-copyright-royalty-board-webcasting-rates

The US Court of Appeals today released a decision upholding the Copyright Royalty Board’s 2015 decision setting the SoundExchange royalty rates for 2016-2020. We wrote about that decision here, and provided more details here. In any appeal of an agency decision, the Court routinely affords the agency deference in reaching its decision. The Court will not overturn that decision … Continue reading "Court of Appeals Upholds Copyright Royalty Board’s 2015 Webcasting Royalty Rate Decision"

For internet activists, media industry wonks and copyright legislation fans (if such a species exists), these are heady days. On Sept. 12, the European Parliament approved a major overhaul of copyright law that, if its supporters are believed, will update copyright for the digital age and force online giants like Google and Facebook to share … Continue reading "What New EU Copyright Law Will Mean for Media, Tech Companies and Users"

Dear Senator Wyden, Being a musician isn’t easy. We spend months on tour, play late night shows, and spend hours, even days, on end in the recording studio. We sacrifice time with our families and money that could be made in more lucrative, stable jobs. While certainly not an easy decision, we make these sacrifices freely, … Continue reading "@ArtistRightsNow/Content Creators Coalition Open Letter to Senator @RonWyden on Passing the CLASSICS Act"

Donald Glover – aka Childish Gambino – is suing his former label Glassnote Records over a royalties dispute. Read more: https://www.nme.com/news/music/donald-glover-sues-record-label-2380059#U58XlRGzu2im9MfL.99

The music industry powers that be must be confident that they have the votes they need because sources tell Billboard that the Music Modernization Act is planned to be hotlined in the Senate tomorrow afternoon. Read more: https://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/8475348/music-modernization-act-faces-verbal-vote-in-senate-monday-but-one-no-could-be

The Music Modernization Act (MMA) now has the support of 76 Senators. As it nears the finish line, SiriusXM is going door-to-door in the Senate in a last-ditch effort to block the MMA, a bill backed by an historic coalition of thousands of music creators, songwriters, producers, labels, publishers and digital music services—all of whom … Continue reading "Bringing mma across the finish line"

Music Creators North America, Inc. (MCNA), a US-Canadian music creator alliance representing a global coalition of over half a million songwriters and composers from around the world through its affiliates in the International Council for Music Creators (CIAM), expressed enormous satisfaction over the European Parliament’s visionary vote today in support of the rights of music creators, musical culture, and fair … Continue reading "Press Release: BOLD EUROPEAN VOTE ENDORSING FAIR PAYMENT FOR THE ON-LINE USE OF MUSIC CELEBRATED BY AMERICAN AND CANADIAN MUSIC CREATORS (MCNA)"

You HAVE to watch this.  When asked why EU Parliament switched from opposing the copyright directive to overwhelmingly supporting it, German MEP Helga Truepel pulls no punches. Read more: https://thetrichordist.com/2018/09/13/totally-pissed-off-by-big-tech-spam-eu-gives-artists-a-copyright-victory/

Thanks in part to a more than 75-year-old judicially monitored consent decree that continues to govern the licensing of song compositions to broadcast outlets, Broadcast Music Inc. is now attempting to get a federal judge to enforce a subpoena on Global Music Rights, its upstart competitor. Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/bmi-demands-licensing-documents-irving-azoff-led-competitor-1142582

The Federation of European Film Directors (FERA), the Federation of Screenwriters in Europe (FSE) and the Society of Audiovisual Authors (SAA) welcome the vote on the Copyright Directive in the Digital Single Market by the European Parliament’s plenary. Read more: http://www.filmdirectors.eu/the-european-parliament-confirms-its-support-for-authors-rights-in-the-digital-single-market/

CIAM salutes the European Parliament’s members for their bold vote today (438 to 226) endorsing the principle of fair online remuneration for creative works. The Parliament has paved the way for the creative sector to be properly rewarded when their works are exploited online. A clear signal has been sent to powerful digital interests that … Continue reading "CIAM celebrates the European Parliament’s visionary vote today on behalf of the world’s songwriters and composers"

September 12th, 2018 – Representing audiovisual creators in 69 countries, Writers & Directors Worldwide (W&DW) today celebrates the vote by European Parliament for the EU Copyright Directive. The vote sends a strong signal to governments worldwide to establish fair remuneration for authors, particularly when works are used by the largest digital platforms. Read more: http://www.writersanddirectorsworldwide.org/writers-directors-worldwide-welcomes-eu-copyright-directive-vote-for-authors-rights/

Parliament adopted its revised negotiating position on copyright rules on Wednesday, adding safeguards to protect small firms and freedom of expression.   Parliament’s position for talks with member states to hammer out a final deal was approved by 438 votes to 226, with 39 abstentions. It makes some important tweaks to the June committee proposal. … Continue reading "Parliament adopts its position on digital copyright rules"

We have grown used to the extraordinary abuse of data by Big Tech, and complicity with political forces in electioneering, either in the United States, or in the Caribbean.   The apologies from Facebook for allowing itself – and our privacy – to be hijacked, and the clamour of all sides in the US political … Continue reading "UNDERGROUND LOBBYING"

Dakar, September 10th, 2018 – Authors societies from across Africa will gather in Dakar on September 11th-13th for an international seminar to improve private copying systems across the continent to better support the livelihoods of creators. Read more: http://www.cisac.org/Newsroom/News-Releases/International-organisations-and-authors-societies-to-meet-in-Senegal-to-improve-private-copying-in-Africa

The undersigned organisations of authors – writers, journalists, screenwriters, filmmakers, composers and songwriters – urge you to support the successful adoption of the proposed Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market. Read more: http://www.filmdirectors.eu/over-100-authors-professional-organisations-call-in-support-of-the-copyright-directive/

Buskers and performers have joined forces to protest against tech giant “parasites” in a fight for better remuneration. Read more: http://www.irishnews.com/magazine/entertainment/

Members of Blur and Suede formed a busking supergroup to protest against tech giant “parasites”, in a campaign to get better remuneration for musicians. Read more: https://inews.co.uk/news/blur-and-suede-form-busking-supergroup-to-protest-at-music-parasites-youtube/

For the artist and management community, the most controversial element of Spotify’s transition to a publicly traded company was how (and if) the three majors and Merlin-member labels would share the proceeds from sale of their equity holdings. Read more: https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/spotify-profit-payouts-whats-the-fairest-way-to-recompense-artists/

Would Article 13 affect the creation and use of memes? Read more: https://www.europeforcreators.eu/infographics/

Together, we have been calling on the European institutions to adopt a Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market that introduces an unwaivable right to proportionate remuneration for authors, collected directly from the on-demand platforms by the collective management organisations representing us, the authors. Read more: https://www.saa-authors.eu/en/news/539-venice-declaration

The declaration, unveiled at the Venice Film Festival, is backed by the Federation of European Film Directors, The Federation of Screenwriters and the Society of Audiovisual Authors. Read more: https://www.screendaily.com/news/leading-european-directors-back-new-eu-copyright-law/5132220.article

Dailyn Rodriguez, a veteran writer and producer, said she wasn’t necessarily looking to work on a new show for the coming season. But she suddenly found herself in high demand, her agents constantly fielding calls about her availability. Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/02/arts/television/tv-writers-diversity.html?emc=edit_th_180903

The creative industry is a vibrant ecosystem that supports many creators. Music creators are like butterflies in this rainforest – beautiful and delicate. Yet some of the global tech giants are laying waste to our creative world, threatening music’s vibrancy and diversity by not fairly compensating creators for the use of their work. Creators need … Continue reading "THE UK MUSIC INDUSTRY HAS UNITED TO CALL ON EU MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT TO SECURE MUSIC’S FUTURE"

Diversity efforts in Hollywood are starting to pay off, with diversity among first-time episodic television directors on what appears to be a solid upward trend, a study released Thursday by the Directors Guild of America shows. Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/amp/news/diversity-first-time-tv-directors-reaches-new-highs-dga-study-1138565

The Amazon-owned online platform has 2.2m monthly broadcasters, transmitting content including music 24/7 to their followers online. But despite developing close links with the industry, none of the money made by Twitch is going to music creators or rights’ owners, explains Ben Gilbert. Read more: https://www.synchtank.com/blog/games-without-frontiers-when-will-twitch-start-paying-its-dues-to-the-music-industry/

On September 12th the European Parliament will vote on legislation that will impact on the future of our culture.  CISAC, one the world’s biggest global network of creators, representing 4 million creators worldwide is rallying behind a new campaign “Europe for Creators”. Read more: http://www.cisac.org/Newsroom/Articles/Creators-worldwide-support-new-Europe-for-creators-campaign

LOS ANGELES—A California judge’s ruling this week in a case pitting Johnny Depp against his longtime lawyer is prompting a reassessment of the handshake-deal culture that is still pervasive in some corners of Hollywood. Read more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ruling-in-johnny-depp-lawsuit-threatens-hollywood-lawyers-handshake-culture-1535547603

Facebook has announced the international rollout of Facebook Watch, its video destination for episodic content, which first launched in the U.S. a year ago this month. The social media giant said Wednesday that the VOD service would be “available everywhere” from Thursday, giving publishers and content creators a worldwide market for their videos. Read more: https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/facebook-watch-international-rollout-1202918777/

It has been dubbed one of the most brutal lobbying wars in Brussels history, pitting media firms and Paul McCartney on one side against Big Tech and internet freedom denizens on the other. Read more: https://m.phys.org/news/2018-08-brussels-lobbying-war-copyright-law.html

YouTube is the most widely used streaming music app globally but it is also the most controversial one, locked in a perpetual struggle with music rights holders, with neither side quite trusting the intent of the other. 2018 has already seen YouTube’s renewed focus on subscriptions as well as a European Parliament vote that could … Continue reading "State of the YouTube Music Economy 2.0: A Turning Point for All Parties"

Should we consider it normal and fair for a young European author – director or screenwriter – to earn on average less than €15,000 a year? If they can sustain a career, this rises to €30,000 for men and €24,000 for women at the age of 50, where it then drops again to less than … Continue reading "The EU Copyright Directive – a crucial vote to support European creators"

MMF Chief Exec Annabella Coldrick lets us know why the MMF is backing UK Music’s #LoveMusic campaign and why it is so important to ensure music makers are fairly rewarded for the use of their work online and increase transparency and accountability throughout the value chain. Read more: https://themmf.net/2018/08/28/urgent-call-to-support-the-eu-copyright-directive-vote-on-the-12th-september/

In a decision that could have sweeping impacts across Hollywood, a Los Angeles judge ruled Tuesday that Johnny Depp’s oral contract with his former talent lawyer Jake Bloom is invalid, citing a statute that requires contingency fee agreements to be in writing. Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/johnny-depp-scores-big-win-lawsuit-lawyer-jake-bloom-1137977

Sometimes it’s good to find an angle. Sometimes it’s good to explore the area uncharted, to ask the question unexpected. Other times, very rare times, the only thing to do is start with: So, what’s it like managing The Rolling Stones? Read more: https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/how-to-manage-the-rolling-stones-if-you-take-it-for-granted-thats-doomsday/

On August 7, 2018, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) held that the download and subsequent posting on a website of a photograph that has previously been published on another website with the consent of the author and was freely accessible requires new consent from the copyright holder. The upload of such a photograph is … Continue reading "European Court of Justice Strengthens Rights of Copyright Holders"

The US Supreme Court has been asked to take a good hard look at a critical piece of internet law that shields ISPs and websites from legal action when their users pirate copyrighted stuff. Read more: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2018/08/24/

BMG shared the news with Digital Music News via email, calling the outcome a ‘landmark case’ against mass-scale copyright infringement.  We haven’t heard from Cox Communications, nor have we seen any legal documents filed, but BMG assured that this is a ‘substantial settlement’ that convinced them to close the matter. Read more: https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2018/08/24/bmg-settlement-cox-communications/

Steven Tyler, the frontman of the rock back Aerosmith, sent President Donald Trump a cease and desist letter on Wednesday, demanding that the president stop playing the band’s music at his rallies, Tyler’s attorney Dina LaPlot confirmed to ABC News. Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/steven-tyler-trump-aerosmith-music-rallies-dream/story?id=57364775

An ISP based in Texas has complained to a judge that the music industry to trying to turn internet providers into the “copyright police.” Read more: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2018/08/21/

The 30,000+ companies that make up the music industry are too unique for one data standard.  And as a creator who also works in the industry, I’m quite proud of how unique and independent all of its different entities and elements are.  What I am not okay with is these disparate standards getting in the way … Continue reading "What Happens After the Music Modernization Act?"

According to the 9th Circuit, digitally remastered sound recording will “rarely” be original enough to qualify for independent copyright protection. CBS Radio must again contend with a lawsuit brought by ABS Entertainment, owner of recordings by Al Green and others. Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/appeals-court-revives-lawsuit-cbs-pre-1972-recordings-1135934

A judge in California has declined to resume litigation involving mini collecting society Global Music Rights and the Radio Music License Committee, reckoning that the ongoing dispute between the two parties should instead continue in the courts of Pennsylvania. Read more: http://www.completemusicupdate.com/article/global-music-rights-must-continue-with-radio-industry-fight-in-pennsylvania-says-californian-court/

Universal, Sony and Warner all inked 24-month deals with the streaming platform last spring/summer, MBW understands – with Warner the last to put pen to paper in August. Read more: https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/spotify-is-on-a-road-to-collision-with-the-record-industry-heres-why/

IMPALA, the organisation that represents the independent music community in Europe, has made a pre-emptive strike as Sony Corp begins the process of seeking approval for its bid to take complete control of the EMI Music Publishing catalogue. The trade group has confirmed that it has already lodged concerns with the European Commission about the … Continue reading "IMPALA lodges concerns with European Commission over “seismic” impact of Sony’s EMI deals"

Ed Sheeran is considered by many in the UK as something of a national treasure, and by others around the world an international star. He’s a singer, songwriter, guitarist, record producer and actor, who has sold more than 26 million albums and 100 million singles worldwide, making him one of the world’s best-selling music artists. Sheeran … Continue reading "Oh why, oh I, wonder if it is a substantial part…"

Jody Gerson arrived at Universal Music Publishing Group as chairman and CEO in 2015, just as streaming became key to the music industry’s viability. The second-largest music publisher’s revenue has risen 30% since then. But Ms. Gerson wants to push that number higher—by getting streaming services to pay songwriters more to license their music. Read … Continue reading "A Music-Publishing CEO Seeks Higher Fees for Songwriters"

The Music Modernization Act (MMA) ultimately survived a serious challenge from Blackstone Group’s SESAC.   But that battle may have eaten precious time off the clock.  Now, insiders are pointing Digital Music News to a significantly shortened timetable for the MMA to pass, and mounting challenges from both Sirius XM Radio and Music Choice. Read more: https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2018/08/13/music-modernization-act-midterm-elections/

The clock is ticking on passage of the Music Modernization Act, a bill that could ensure digital music services pay fair royalties to rights holders while giving streaming companies certainty, legal protection and more efficient payment tools. Read more: https://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/record-labels/8469645/with-clock-ticking-can-the-music-modernization-act-pass

On Wednesday, Johnny Depp will bring to a Los Angeles judge an issue that could wreak havoc across Hollywood. The star actor recently settled his big lawsuit against his former management firm, but he’s still in court with the lawyer who negotiated most of his work for the past two decades. That would be Jake Bloom, whose other clients … Continue reading "How Johnny Depp Could Soon Disrupt Hollywood Dealmakers"

Investors are become increasingly interested in music, as Spotify experiences surprising stability on the New York Stock Exchange and the wider recorded-music business basks in what is expected to be its fourth consecutive year of growth in 2018. But as analysts race to meet investor demand for music-industry knowhow, direct input and perspectives from the industry itself are often left out, leading to … Continue reading "Music Biz Slams Citi Report on Industry & Artist Revenue as ‘Inconsistent,’ ‘Inaccurate’: Analysis"

The Oscars are introducing a new category for outstanding achievement in popular film. It’s among three changes which were approved on Tuesday by the Academy’s board of governors. It means films which are popular with the public but less so with critics will be more likely to win an Oscar. Read more: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-45115581

I trained as a teacher of English as a Foreign Language nearly forty years ago, and have worked in various sectors of that field since 1979. My first EFL textbook was published in 1991 and, in the ensuing 27 years, I have written a further ten main titles, all of which have been published by … Continue reading "My writing income: Fiona Scott-Barrett"

The European Court of Justice has determined that a website must get permission from the copyright owner of an image before it use the picture itself – even if that photo or illustration is readily available elsewhere. Read more: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2018/08/08/

On Monday, a group of radio broadcasters penned a letter in support of the National Association of Broadcasters’ (NAB) push for deregulation of the $14 billion radio industry. Their letter was based on the NAB’s petition to the FCC this past June, in which the NAB sought to allow expanded broadcaster ownership of radio stations (i.e., increased … Continue reading "Michael Huppe: Broadcast Radio Makes an Ironic Plea for Fairness (Guest Op-Ed)"

Creating music pays a little. Marketing it pays a lot. Musicians received just 12 percent of the $43 billion in sales generated from their work in the U.S. last year, according a report Monday by Citigroup. The figure includes revenue from CD sales, on-demand streaming, advertisements on YouTube, radio royalties and concert tickets. Read more: … Continue reading "While Music Streaming Sales Surge, Singers Still Get Paid a Song"

Collective management is the exercise of copyright and related rights by organizations acting in the interest and on behalf of the owners of rights. Read more: http://www.wipo.int/copyright/en/management/#cmotoolkit

Health and Safety Legislation states that there is no upper limit of temperature in the workplace. This means you can’t just stop work when it gets really hot. All departments are affected when temperatures are consistently high from performers and stage managers, musicians, wardrobe and technical operators, all of whom have specific needs and ways … Continue reading "Advice for working during a heatwave in theatres & outdoor theatre spaces"

Ozzy Osbourne will get the show he wants in California federal court, as a judge on Wednesday rejected a bid by AEG to stop the musician from pursuing an antitrust lawsuit. Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/ozzy-osbourne-wins-first-round-antitrust-fight-aeg-1131634

The UK has long been a leading destination for discovering sounds from far-flung corners of the globe, whether it is Malian songbird Oumou Sangaré’s set at Glastonbury, or the shadowy South African electro of DJ Lag in a sticky-floored club in London. But last weekend, that reputation was thrown into disarray following comments by Womad organiser … Continue reading "What the Womad visa fiasco tells us about live music in Brexit Britain"

As fears continue that America’s big fat Music Modernization Act could fall apart at the very final hurdle, the Association Of Independent Music Publishers has called on all parties to come together one last time to get the major copyright-law-reforming legislation through. In particular it asks that collecting society SESAC and rights administrator the Harry … Continue reading "Indie publishers call on SESAC and HFA to compromise on Music Modernization Act"

The “Steve McQueen Effect” is about to be tested in a Los Angeles court. As explained in a new lawsuit brought by McQueen’s children, anything associated with the deceased movie legend — “especially cars — drives value. As examples, the complaint points to a 1970 Porsche 917K featured in the McQueen film Le Mans that auctioned for … Continue reading "Steve McQueen’s Children Sue Ferrari for Using His Name to Sell Cars"

Last week, SESAC and its parent company, Blackstone Group, issued a sharp counter-proposal to the Music Modernization Act, a challenge that could threaten the bill’s passage.  The protest revolves around the MMA’s creation of a government-sanctioned entity known as the Mechanical Licensing Collective, or MLC, which Blackstone feels is extremely unfair to competing mechanical licensing … Continue reading "SESAC Doubles Down On Its MMA Protest — Here’s Their Statement"

Vincent Bollore’s Vivendi will sell up to half of Universal Music Group and has ruled out an IPO, the company announced after market close on Monday. Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/vivendi-sell-up-50-percent-universal-music-group-1130758

Top songwriters are taking to social media to decry what they believe is an attempt by Blackstone — the owner of SESAC and the Harry Fox Agency — to  torpedo the Music Modernization Act by proposing changes they allege will doom the sweeping legislation. Read more: https://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/legal-and-management/8467349/top-songwriters-call-for-colleagues-to-resign-from

The New Testament narrates numerous miracles attributed to Jesus Christ. One of them is the feeding of the multitude: Jesus is described as having multiplied a few loaves and fish so that five thousand people could eat and were satisfied. The debate over the new EU Copyright Directive towards the end of June 2018 was … Continue reading "THE ANATOMY OF AN ASSAULT ON POLITICS"

Spotify CEO Daniel Ek has taken pains to reassure labels that the company’s direct-licensing deals with independent artists should not be seen as a threat to labels, tying it back to Spotify’s ‘two-sided marketplace’ strategy. Read more: http://musically.com/2018/07/26/spotify-talks-direct-artist-deals-licensing-content-doesnt-make-us-a-label/

After a strenuous fight, the Legal Committee (JURI) of the European Parliament finally approved its long-awaited report, amending the commission proposal for a new directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market. The JURI report was welcomed by FIA and other performer organisations, as it promised to drive more transparency into the contractual relationships between … Continue reading "Copyright review still raging in the EU"

Two songwriter groups are accusing accusing Blackstone — the owner of SESAC and the Harry Fox Agency — of offering sweeping changes to the Music Modernization Act that would destroy the proposed legislation, in a move they claim is motivated by greed and callous disregard for American songwriters. Read more: https://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/legal-and-management/8466796/songwriter-groups-accuse-sesac-harry-fox-owner-of

  It’s so far been smooth sailing for the Music Modernization Act (MMA), which in June was approved unanimously by the Senate Judiciary Committee following its passage, also by unanimous vote, in the House of Representatives in May. The legislation aims to improve royalty payments to songwriters, artists and creatives in the digital era. Its next and final step before … Continue reading "Music Modernization Act Stares Down Potential Snag"

  More people are watching shows and films through Netflix, Amazon Prime and other streaming services than through traditional satellite and cable TV, according to new figures from Ofcom. The UK media regulator said online streaming was officially more popular than pay-TV for the first time, with the number of subscribers for websites hitting 15.4 million in the first quarter … Continue reading "Netflix and Amazon Prime streaming overtakes satellite and cable TV in landmark shift"

Is the alleged use of stolen technology worth a big cut of more than $1.3 billion in profits for six movies? Watson finds herself in the crosshairs of a potential examination thanks to a hyperbolic comment she made at a press conference in Paris, France. Depending on which side a judge believes, a somewhat peculiar … Continue reading "A Deposition for Emma Watson Hangs on an Interpretation of Copyright Law"

SAG-AFTRA members overwhelmingly granted the union’s board of directors the ability to call a TV animation strike, voting 98.27 percent in favor of the authorization, according to a letter to members from union president Gabrielle Carteris that appeared on the SAG-AFTRA website Wednesday after voting closed. Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/sag-aftra-passes-tv-animation-strike-authorization-svod-fight-1128315

Netflix is the most popular SVOD service in Britain, ahead of Amazon, says a report from media regulator Ofcom that also finds music streaming subscription revenue beating out physical sales. Streaming video has overtaken traditional pay TV services in terms of subscribers in the U.K. for the first time, according to a new report from … Continue reading "Streaming Video Subscriptions Top Traditional Pay TV in U.K. for First Time"

Fox Broadcasting and Muhammad Ali Enterprises will be trading punches no longer as a $30 million lawsuit over the boxer’s image in a Super Bowl promo has been settled. Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/fox-settles-lawsuit-using-muhammad-ali-hype-super-bowl-1127647

  Viddy well, little brother. Viddy well. from A Clockwork Orange, written by Stanley Kubrick based on the novel by Anthony Burgess As we noted in Fair Copyright Canada and 100,000 Voters Who Don’t Exist back in 2009, the legitimate desire by governments to use the Internet to engage with the governed is to be admired.  But there … Continue reading "Factiness EU Style: A Dedicated Group of Like Minded People Carpet Bombs The European Parliament"

Whilst music streaming businesses develop at a quick pace, performers are still not rewarded fairly — if at all — when their performances are exploited online. Read more: https://www.fairnessrocks.com/wp-admin/post-new.php

Americans streamed a record 403 billion songs in the first six months of 2018, marking the latest milestone in the unstoppable march of music streaming services. Read more: http://uk.pcmag.com/pandora/116339/news/streaming-has-taken-over-the-music-industry

EXCLUSIVE: Nine days after Olivia de Havilland turned 102, the California Supreme Court has rejected the two-time Oscar winner’s desire to have them review her feud with FX Networks and Ryan Murphy over her depiction in the Emmy winning 2017 Feud: Bette and Joan anthology. Read more: https://deadline.com/2018/07/olivia-de-havilland-feud-california-supreme-court-petition-denied-1202425561/

In May, YouTube shared that it was testing a feature called Copyright Match — an abbreviated version of its Content IDtool, which can detect identical video reuploads and then enable rights holders to take certain actions. Read more: https://www.tubefilter.com/2018/07/11/youtube-copyright-match-100000-subs/

In what very well could be the end of the line for Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has voted to deny a rehearing of the controversial “Blurred Lines” case. As a result, a jury’s 2015 verdict that found the popular song was an infringement of Marvin Gaye’s “Got to … Continue reading "Appeals Court Won’t Rehear “Blurred Lines” Case"

Aspire Music Group, the record label that first signed musical superstar Drake to a contract in 2008, has been given the green light to pursue a major profits lawsuit against Cash Money Records and UMG Recordings. Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/judge-allows-profits-lawsuit-universal-music-drake-albums-1126016

Stan Lee has dismissed his $1 billion lawsuit against POW! Entertainment for fraud and conversion, less than two months after the suit was filed in his name. Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/stan-lee-drops-1b-pow-lawsuit-stealing-name-likeness-1125572

US independent Glassnote Records has sued Childish Gambino – aka Donald Glover – in a dispute over what should happen to royalties that are earned by his recordings but are paid to collecting society SoundExchange. Read more: http://www.completemusicupdate.com/article/glassnote-sues-childish-gambino-in-soundexchange-royalties-dispute/

Universal Music Group is challenging Malu Trevejo’s recent attempt to void her contract, claiming the label’s agreements were with a corporation owned by the teenage singer’s mother, not her directly, and represented by her attorney. Read more: https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/8464305/universal-malu-trevejo-counterclaim-void-contract

The Writers Guild of America West’s members are rolling in clover, it would seem, with the guild’s latest annual report reflecting a reported aggregate of about $1.4 billion in earnings plus $431 million in residuals. But the drivers behind those record-high fiscal year 2017 numbers are complex, and some details are unknown. Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/wga-west-earnings-residuals-hit-new-highs-total-18-billion-1125295

Artists who sold major paintings or sculptures in 1977 are in luck. Other artists who sold work before or after that year not so much thanks to a ruling on Friday from the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals that essentially dooms their hopes of collecting royalties from resales. Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/appeals-court-deals-blow-chuck-close-artists-seeking-resale-royalties-1125404

MANHATTAN (CN) – Jazz-funk producer James Mtume sued Sony Music on Tuesday, demanding an accounting for several records he made for Epic Records in the 1970s and 1980s, including the heavily sampled club hit “Juicy Fruit.” Read more: https://www.courthousenews.com/music-producer-seeks-accounting-of-his-heavily-sampled-hits/

European Parliament MEPs voted against the draft Copyright Directive, which would have brought music creators one step closer to improving the “value gap” which unfairly enriches platforms such as YouTube at the expense of middle class music creators. Unified calls throughout the world included CISAC President Jean-Michel Jarre and Sir Paul McCartney in adding their … Continue reading "CIAM responds to Europe Copyright Directive Vote, Calls to Rally Global Music Creators"

Mastodon’s guitarist, Bill Kelliher, recently gave an interview on the music podcast “Let There Be Talk,” where he explained how streaming services are killing music as we know it.  And potentially putting promising bands out of business. Read more: https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2018/07/05/mastodon-guitarist-band-survive/

Paris, July 5 2018 – The European Parliament today voted by a narrow majority against the draft EU Copyright Directive.  The directive would have addressed a major flaw in the digital market, helping millions of creators worldwide to earn a fair income when their works are used by some of the world’s largest digital platforms. Read … Continue reading "European Copyright Directive: A missed opportunity but work for a positive solution for creators worldwide continues"

The European Parliament today opposed plans to launch immediate “trilogue” negotiations with the Council and European Commission on copyright reform legislation, instead sending the controversial measure to full debate at the next plenary session of Parliament. Read more: http://www.ip-watch.org/2018/07/05/european-parliament-rejects-starting-negotiations-copyright-reform-proposal/

The Dutch YouTuber’s most popular videos include him playing famous guitar riffs, comparing different instruments and teaching various guitar skills and techniques. Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-44726296

The European Parliament has kicked back a vote on proposed copyright law changes until September to allow tempers to cool and the agreed text to be re-examined. Read more: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2018/07/05/eu_copyright_vote/

It’s the big vote tomorrow (July 5) on the EU Copyright Directive and Article 13 in the European Parliament. Ahead of a the decision that will have a huge impact on the music industry, Music Week rounds up the last-ditch appeals to legislators… Read more: http://www.musicweek.com/talent/read/all-eyes-are-now-on-the-eu-music-industry-makes-final-appeal-to-meps-ahead-of-key-copyright-vote/073053

Following a campaign involving over 1,300 recording artists – including Plácido Domingo, James Blunt, Francis Cabrel, The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Max Martin, Udo Lindenberg – via petitions and statements, videos and personal appearances, Sir Paul McCartney now lends his voice. Read more: http://www.ifpi.org/news/over-1000-recording-artists-call-on-MEPs-to-seize-opportunity

Several weeks ago, the European Union Legal Affairs Committee ruled on a controversial measure.  Dubbed Article 13, internet tech giants – including Facebook, Google, Microsoft – would have to install “effective technologies” to ensure content creators, artists, and authors receive fair pay for their work online.  The committee approved the initiative.  It heads to the European … Continue reading "Google Spent More Than $36 Million to Scuttle Article 13 & the Copyright Directive"

Five global music publishers have reportedly told Spanish collecting society SGAE that they are pulling rights out of the organisation as a result of the ongoing dispute over the distribution of TV royalties in the country. Read more: http://www.completemusicupdate.com/article/global-publishers-now-reportedly-pulling-rights-from-controversial-spanish-society-sgae/

Some 145 organisations have signed an open letter urging European Parliament to vote against the Legal Affairs (JURI) Committee mandate to negotiate on copyright reform. The European Parliament will meet on 5 July for a plenary vote on whether or not to endorse the mandate. Read more: http://www.ip-watch.org/2018/07/03/145-organisations-urge-eu-vote-juri-mandate-copyright/

Forget petty pop star squabbles, the real beefing in the world of music this week has been happening in Brussels where the tech lobby has been mounting a massive campaign to scupper the music industry’s hopes of reforming the copyright safe harbour. Indeed, so proactive has that lobby become with its late-in-the-day mantras of “no … Continue reading "Beef Of The Week #410: The tech lobby v Article 13"

The tech giant is asking a group of partners who have come to depend on its largesse to take action that will make them even more dependent. Read more: https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8463323/google-email-news-publications-european-union-music-business

The crisis at SGAE, the Spanish performance rights organization, involves a telenovela’s worth of plot twists — including royalties for inaudible music and the court-ordered dismissal of a WIPO arbitration. But the situation at its Greek counterpart AEPI (the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Intellectual Property) is downright epic. Read more: https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8463271/greece-pro-royalties-aepi-collapse-rights-holders-government

On June 21, members of Spain’s royalty collection group, the General Society of Authors and Editors (SGAE), assembled in Madrid and voted against proposals that the music industry had feared could propel a long-running scheme that has involved astrologers, inaudible music and songs with copyrights registered to Spaniards’ pets. Read more: https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8463245/spain-music-publishers-scheme-music-royalties-tv-broadcasters-the-wheel

For a decade, the music industry has promoted a motley series of copyright bills to Congress, only to watch them fail. In an effort to update music copyright law for the digital age, the various players involved — tech companies, music publishers, songwriters, musicians and radio broadcasters — assembled an ambitious bill that addressed their … Continue reading "A Senate Committee Votes for Peace in the Music Industry"

On 5th July, all Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) will vote on proposals for a new Copyright Directive in what could be the biggest copyright overhaul in nearly 20 years. Read more: https://www.creatorsrightsfight.com/

The U.S. Department of Justice on Wednesday approved Walt Disney’s partial merger with 21st Century Fox, but said Disney must sell Fox’s regional sports networks as those, coupled with ESPN, could form a monopoly in sports broadcasting. Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/disney-fox-deal-approved-by-department-justice-1123614

Three Hollywood unions slammed a Supreme Court ruling released Wednesday that sharply diminishes the power of public-sector unions by allowing workers to refuse to pay union dues or fees even while receiving the benefit of union contracts, calling the ruling a shameful decision that will lead to attacks on private-sector unions as well. Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/hollywood-guilds-blast-supreme-court-s-anti-union-decision-1123817

20/06/2018 – Today in Brussels, the JURI Committee voted on the long-discussed Copyright Directive and adopted Article 13 with a clear majority. The European Grouping of Societies of Authors and Composers (GESAC) welcomes this result, which is an important step towards ending the big platforms’ free riding. Read more: http://authorsocieties.eu/mediaroom/313/33/Copyright-Directive-GESAC-welcomes-JURI-vote-that-adopted-Article-13

The European Parliament Legal Affairs Committee (JURI) adopted its report on the European Commission-proposed copyright in the digital single market directive yesterday. The vote, by the lead committee vetting the proposal, sparked a continuation of the acrimonious debate that has raged for many months over several controversial provisions: The creation of a new right for … Continue reading "EU Copyright Reform Proposal Clears Lead Legislative Committee, To Cheers And Jeers"

SAN FRANCISCO – A judge overseeing a massive intellectual property case against entertainment giants Disney, Fox, Paramount, Marvel Studios, and Crystal Dynamics issued two orders on June 18, 2018, denying the defendant companies’ motions to dismiss and for summary judgment, allowing the cases to go forward, according to attorneys at Hagens Berman representing the inventor. Read more: https://www.hbsslaw.com/cases/disney-marvel-mova-contour/pressrelease/mova-contour-ip-theft-judge-sides-with-inventors-in-massive-intellectual-property-case-against-disney-fox-paramount-and-others-allowing-cases-to-continue

NEW YORK — On behalf of New York’s SAG-AFTRA members, the union commends New York Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Majority Leader Joseph Morelle, and Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein and their colleagues in the New York State Assembly for passing A.8155-B today. Read more: https://www.sagaftra.org/sag-aftra-statement-passing-new-york-assembly-bill-a8155-b

YouTube is expanding its subscription-based music and video services to the UK and a further 11 countries. Read more: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-44522200

CMU has today launched a brand new online resource called the CMU Library, which brings together all the articles published across the CMU sites that provide background information on how the music industry works and summaries of current trends and best practice in the business of music. Read more: http://www.completemusicupdate.com/article/new-online-cmu-library-provides-one-stop-hub-of-music-industry-resources/

Warner Bros is cracking down on local Harry Potter fan festivals around the US, saying it is necessary to halt unauthorized commercial activity. Fans liken the move to Dementors sucking the joy out of homegrown fun. Festival directors say they will change the events into generic celebrations of magic. Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/jun/16/harry-potter-warner-bros-wizard-fan-festivals

SAG-AFTRA strongly supports A 8155-B (Morelle)/ S 5857-B (Savino), which will revive and modernize the New York post-mortem image and voice rights under Civil Rights Law sections 50, 51. Read more: https://www.sagaftra.org/right-publicity

Following Sony Corp.’s April sale of half of its stake in Spotify, Sony Music Entertainment (SME) sent an email to indie labels on Thursday (June 14) declaring its intent to share a portion of the profits with “eligible artists and participants as soon as possible,” with a target of August. Read more: https://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/record-labels/8461119/sony-music-entertainment-canada-to-start-paying-indie

CIAM, the internationally recognised global voice of music creators, gathered composers, songwriters and artists from around the world in Warsaw for its Executive Committee meeting on June 2nd-4th. The Executive Committee (Exco) is a group of creators and representatives from societies that establish strategy and coordinate on continental, country and local levels. Organised by Polish … Continue reading "Building the global unified voice for music creators at Warsaw CIAM Executive Committee meeting"

Tickets have remained available for every date of Swift’s UK tour, and fans in Dublin, where she plays this weekend, have reported that tickets are being given away for free. Read more: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-44466046

THE INTERNET HAS become so important to modern life that it’s hard to imagine it working much differently from the way it does. If you want to know something, you “Google it,” for free, presumably knowing you’ll be served targeted advertising. But today’s online world isn’t only a product of technological progress; it’s also the result … Continue reading "Antitrust law never envisioned massive tech companies like Google"

[Washington, D.C.] – Seven leading unions, membership organizations, and advocacy groups representing recording artists, performers, vocalists, musicians, producers, and songwriters today sent a letter to the U.S. Senate detailing the flaws in Sen. Ron Wyden’s so-called “ACCESS to Sound Recordings Act.” The groups, which include American Federation of Musicians, Content Creators Coalition, Future of Music … Continue reading "Leading Artist Groups Announce Opposition To Sen. Wyden’s So-Called “ACCESS to Sound Recordings Act”"

Digital technology has given rise to a host of novel questions concerning the authorship, ownership, and exploitation of creative works, from the right to re-sell digital copies to the copyright status of works produced by artificial-intelligence agents. But a new legislative skirmish in New York State could take the debate beyond the realm of copyright … Continue reading "Face Off: Studios Battle SAG-AFTRA Over ‘Digital Replicas’"

The European Union is working on a dramatic change to the regime that governs the liability of online intermediaries established with the E-Commerce Directive (Directive 2000/31/EC). Art. 14 offered a safe harbour for hosting service providers who do not have actual knowledge of infringing content and who, on obtaining such knowledge, act “expeditiously to remove … Continue reading "How much do we know about notice-and-takedown? New study tracks YouTube removals"

WASHINGTON, June 11, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — SoundExchange and SiriusXM have settled their litigation surrounding outstanding claims from January 2007 through December 2017 in exchange for a lump sum payment of $150 million. Read more: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/soundexchange-and-siriusxm-settle-case-300664380.html

German consumers have taken their time adapting to video-on-demand, but a new study, published Monday, predicts explosive growth in the next five years. Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/german-vod-revenue-seen-more-doubling-29b-by-2023-1118946

The below market summary, courtesy of Google Finance, shows how Spotify’s stock price consistently climbed in the eight trading days following Tuesday, May 29 – up to $171.48 at the close of last week. Read more: https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/spotify-market-cap-soars-above-30bn-in-wake-of-news-its-directly-licensing-artists/

LOS ANGELES (June 9, 2018) – SAG-AFTRA today announced a tentative agreement has been reached with the four major television broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox) and other producers on terms for a successor agreement to the National Code of Fair Practice for Network Television Broadcasting. Read more: https://www.sagaftra.org/sag-aftra-reaches-tentative-agreement-major-broadcast-television-networks-0

SAG-AFTRA on Saturday announced that it has reached a tentative agreement with the four major television broadcast networks — ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox — and other producers for a new contract, a successor agreement to the National Code of Fair Practice for Network Television Broadcasting. Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/sag-aftra-strikes-deal-new-broadcast-tv-contract-1118721

When we hear about the value gap, the discussion often focuses on licensing and money. Of course it’s about “value”, but it’s a lot more than that. It’s about tackling the competitive stranglehold of incumbent online operators who want to hold onto the status quo – the biggest barrier creators and online start-ups face today. … Continue reading "MIND THE GAP: IS EUROPE SET TO RECALIBRATE THE DIGITAL MARKET?"

As the safe harbour reforming article thirteen of the European Copyright Directive continues to work its way slowly through the law-making process, a provisional court ruling in Austria has backed up the music industry’s long stated argument that services like YouTube shouldn’t have safe harbour protection to start with. Read more: http://www.completemusicupdate.com/article/austrian-court-says-youtube-shouldnt-have-safe-harbour-protection/

“Closing the real value gap for performers means introducing an unwaivable remuneration right for on-demand use.” — Murray Head, singer and actor. Representing more than 500,000 musicians, singers, actors and dancers, Fair Internet’s partners[1] have long campaigned for the fair treatment of performers in the digital world. Read more: http://fia-actors.com/no_cache/media/news/news-detail/article/can-performers-get-a-fair-deal-in-the-digital-age-politico/

Apple has signed the current Writers Guild of America master contract, agreeing to terms above the minimum for programming offered free online. This is significant because it could have implications for the next round of WGA talks ahead of the expiration of the current contract in May 2020, Variety reports. Read more: https://www.macrumors.com/2018/06/07/apple-writers-guild-contract/

“CISAC is all about teamwork. Together, we can move mountains.” Those were the words of CISAC President Jean-Michel Jarre in welcoming authors and collective management societies to Warsaw on June 1st. The CISAC General Assembly is the pinnacle moment of the year to come together, review past work on behalf of authors and set the stage for the upcoming … Continue reading "World unites in Warsaw to “move mountains” for authors’ rights at 2018 CISAC General Assembly"

On 4 June 2018, performers and audiovisual authors wrote an open letter to members of the Legal Affairs Committee of the European Parliament. Read more: http://www.filmdirectors.eu/open-letter-to-juri-meps-from-performers-and-audiovisual-authors/

Can the making available – following payment of an IPTV subscription fee – of streams to unlicensed content amount to an infringement of copyright/related rights?   This is the issue that the District Court of Limburg (in Maastricht, The Netherlands) had to address in a recent case that anti-piracy foundation Brein brought against Leaper (also acting … Continue reading "Dutch court rules that for-profit provision of links to unlicensed content is an infringement"

A man who is his own lawyer has a fool for a client. Although comedians sometimes don’t mind playing the fool, Christian Charles is seeing the wisdom of retaining counsel in a lawsuit against Jerry Seinfeld, Sony and Netflix over the hit show Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/jerry-seinfeld-faces-bulked-up-lawsuit-allegedly-stealing-hit-show-1115493

A Bill has been put before the US Congress that extends copyright protection for sound recordings (that were fixed before 1972) until 2067. This could mean that sound recordings fixed as early as 1923, would remain out of the public domain for evvvveeerrrr 144 years. Read more: https://ipkitten.blogspot.co.uk/2018/05/us-congress-considers-extending.html

Being a film director isn’t all foreign travel,” willing” ingénues and red carpet glamour. It is all too easy to assume, because a screenwriter or director is in the public eye in an exciting industry, that they are rich. A study by the Federation of European Film Directors (FERA) and the Federation of Screenwriters in Europe … Continue reading "Paying a Director or Screenwriter: The Truth is (Now) Out There"

To coincide with World Intellectual Property Day (Thurs 26th April), Spinal Tap’s Fairness Rocks platform has been renewed as a Campaign, with the launch of its website today. As Amanda Harcourt, the architect of the Campaign and independent adviser to authors and performers in the creative industry on their intellectual property rights, explains: “The Fairness … Continue reading "Spinal Tap’s Fairness Rocks platform has been renewed as a Campaign"

In 2013, Andre Lindal, having finally climbed to the pinnacle of pop songwriter success, surveyed his works and despaired. The dubstep-tinged heart-throbber he had written for Justin Bieber, “As Long as You Love Me,” was a smash hit, reaching No. 3 on Billboard’s Top 40 rankings. The music video, essentially a short film starring actor … Continue reading "‘WE’RE ON LIFE SUPPORT’: IS STREAMING MUSIC THE FINAL NOTE FOR PROFESSIONAL SONGWRITERS?"

IMAGINE YOU ARE IN AN AIRPORT, and you have forgotten to eat lunch. It’s a mistake you will pay for with a dull, expensive dinner. Hungry, meandering, you happen upon one of those iPads that line every other table, a machine that allows you to order without talking to other humans—a circumstance provided by capitalism’s boundless … Continue reading "The Problem with Muzak"

On the 23 June, Writers & Directors Worldwide president, Yves Nilly, met with acclaimed author, director and actor, Harry Shearer to discuss their shared experiences of audiovisual rights campaigning. While Writers & Directors Worldwide has been successfully pursuing legislative changes via The Audiovisual Campaign, Mr. Shearer has been fighting his own battle for equitable remuneration … Continue reading "Writers & Directors Worldwide Meets with Harry Shearer of the “Fairness Rocks” campaign to Share Best Practice in Fight for Authors’ Rights"

Canal+, one of the most prominent investors in French cinema, has stopped paying the authors’ Collective Management Organisations the royalties due for films and TV series it broadcasts. Read more: http://www.saa-authors.eu/en/blog/409-canal-and-eu-copyright—collective-action-necessary

Copyright termination gives music artists the opportunity to reclaim the rights to their songs. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of understanding every legal transaction you get involved in. Read more: http://blog.discmakers.com/2017/06/copyright-termination-mccartney-duran-duran-and-victor-willis-saga/?utm_content=bufferf7900&utm_medium=SOCIAL&utm_source=FACEBOOK&utm_campaign=FACEBOOK

For years, Harry Shearer, one of the creators of the comedy classic This Is Spinal Tap, received royalty checks for the movie that could barely cover a day’s supply of foil-wrapped zucchini. Now he’s got the band back together (in court) to find out what happened to the rest of the money and, they hope, … Continue reading "Spinal Tap vs. Hollywood"

The creators of This is Spinal Tap, the most influential mockumentary ever made, have been paid almost nothing. The rock gods are angry. In comedy, as in rock ’n’ roll, nothing is quite as easy as it looks. And so it makes sense that several years before the 1984 release of the legendary rock ’n’ … Continue reading "This Lawsuit Goes to 11"

“We are motivated by a desire to highlight the longstanding and improper accounting practices in the music and film industries,” actor writes A little over three decades ago, This Is Spinal Tap perfectly parodied hard-rock excess with a pint-sized Stonehenge, amps that go “one louder” and the unforgettable phrase “Hello Cleveland.” Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/harry-shearer-why-my-spinal-tap-lawsuit-affects-all-creators-w474441

From a mockumentary classic to an Oscar-winning best picture, studios are fighting to hold onto properties from hungry authors. In James Cameron’s sci-fi classic, The Terminator, a cyborg is sent back in time to assassinate. Something similar is playing out in Hollywood at the moment thanks to a mid-1970s change to copyright law that allows … Continue reading "The Terminator Comes to Hollywood to Destroy Old Copyright Grants"

By Melissa Daniels Law360, Los Angeles (March 30, 2017, 6:48 PM EDT) — The co-creators of “This Is Spinal Tap” on Wednesday defended their right to bring a $400 million royalty suit against Vivendi SA, in the process calling out the French media giant for a “grossly inappropriate litigation threat” against actor Harry Shearer. Shearer … Continue reading "‘Spinal Tap’ Actors Blast Studio’s ‘Threat’ In Royalty Row"

The creators of “Spinal Tap” have turned the legal volume up to 11 in an effort to advance their $400 million suit against the movie’s current owner. In pleadings filed on Wednesday, Harry Shearer, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Rob Reiner derided a legal threat in Los Angeles federal court by Vivendi, which came to … Continue reading "‘Spinal Tap’ creators fire back at current owners in court"

The creators of ‘This Is Spinal Tap’ have responded to Vivendi’s response to their $400 million lawsuit, mainly focusing on the termination right element of the case. Harry Shearer, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Rob Reiner all accuse Vivendi – which controls the ‘Spinal Tap’ movie via its StudioCanal business and the soundtrack via Universal … Continue reading "Spinal Tap creators hit out at Vivendi’s “distracting and obfuscatory conduct”"

This Is Spinal Tap co-creators Harry Shearer, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Rob Reiner have responded to Vivendi’s claim that their lawsuit should be thrown out, describing the French company’s behaviour as “grossly inappropriate”. The original complaint, made by Shearer’s service company Century of Progress Productions [Case No. 2:16-cv-07733] was filed on October 17 2016. … Continue reading "Spinal Tap creators respond to ‘grossly inappropriate” claim their lawsuit should be thrown out"

The 1984 film “This Is Spinal Tap” might be a beloved cult classic, but it was far from a blockbuster. At least that’s the assertion in a new filing relating to the $400 million lawsuit revolving around the movie. In papers filed Tuesday, Vivendi and Studiocanal say that “Spinal Tap” stars Harry Shearer, Christopher Guest, … Continue reading "‘Spinal Tap’ Stars Blasted for ‘Absurdly’ Filed $400 Million Lawsuit"

French media giant Vivendi SA blasted back Tuesday at a lawsuit claiming it underpaid royalties for the cult classic “This Is Spinal Tap,” calling the suit’s demand of $400 million in damages “absurd.” The studio’s filing in California federal court came in the form of a limited motion seeking to dismiss the movie’s actors — … Continue reading "‘Spinal Tap’ Defendants File Motion To Dismiss Lawsuit"

French media giant Vivendi SA blasted back Tuesday at a lawsuit claiming it underpaid royalties for the cult classic “This Is Spinal Tap,” calling the suit’s demand of $400 million in damages “absurd.” The studio’s filing in California federal court came in the form of a limited motion seeking to dismiss the movie’s actors — … Continue reading "Vivendi Calls $400M ‘Spinal Tap’ Royalties Claim ‘Absurd’"

Forget an 11. This one is now up to at least 18. Earlier this month, This Is Spinal Tap co-creators Christopher Guest and Michael McKean, along with the 1984 film’s director Rob Reiner, joined Harry Shearer in a lawsuit that alleges they’ve been denied as much as $400 million in contingent compensation from Vivendi and … Continue reading "Vivendi Demands Spinal Tap Members Be Ousted From Lawsuit “Absurdly” Claiming $400M in Damages"

In October (16) Harry Shearer, who played bassist Derek Smalls in the beloved 1984 spoof rockumentary This Is Spinal Tap filed a lawsuit alleging Vivendi bosses had cheated him and the film’s co-creators out of its profits, seeking $125 million (£100 million).   Last month (Feb17) the film’s director Rob Reiner and Harry’s co-stars Christopher … Continue reading "Media company bosses seek dismissal of $400 million Spinal Tap lawsuit"

Last year, Harry Shearer filed a lawsuit against Vivendi Universal about This is Spinal Tap, a classic 1984 film that started the mockumentary genre that’s continued on to this day. And while there have been plenty of lawsuits against movie studios or record labels, the lawsuit alleged that Shearer and co-creators Christopher Guest and Michael … Continue reading "Vivendi seeks dismissal of Spinal Tap’s $400 million lawsuit"

Universal Music owner Vivendi would like everyone to know that it has “genuine admiration for the talents of Harry Shearer, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Rob Reiner”. But all things considered, the company would prefer it if all four creators of ‘This Is Spinal Tap’ would just fuck off and die. Well, I’m paraphrasing slightly. … Continue reading "Vivendi says $400 million Spinal Tap legal claim “absurd”"

Vivendi is cranking their lawsuit up to an 11. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the owner of “This Is Spinal Tap” has fought back against the $400 lawsuit filed by the cult movie’s creators and stars. The media conglomerate asked for the lawsuit to be thrown out, stating that the plaintiffs have no rights to their work-for-hire … Continue reading "“Spinal Tap” Owners Demand Dismissal of $400 Million Lawsuit"

The foursome behind the “Spinal Tap” mockumentary — Harry Shearer, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Rob Reiner — should have the volume of their $400 million suit against Vivendi turned down to zero, the company said on Wednesday.   Vivendi’s StudioCanal unit, which owns the movie, asked a judge to toss the suit. The four filed suit … Continue reading "‘Spinal Tap’ owners attempt to get creators’ $400M suit tossed"

Vivendi S.A. and Studiocanal say they have “genuine admiration” for “This Is Spinal Tap” stars Harry Shearer, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Rob Reiner, but their $400 million claim for damages is “absurd” and they should be dismissed from their own suit.   The companies moved to dismiss the comedians in a Feb. 28 U.S. District … Continue reading "VIVENDI MOVES TO DISMISS ‘TAP’ SUIT"

Le réalisateur Rob Reiner ainsi que les acteurs Christopher Guest, Harry Shearer et Michael McKean se réunissent pour réclamer 400 millions de dollars à la compagnie de Vincent Bolloré, qu’ils accusent d’escroquerie. Le faux groupe de hard rock le plus célèbre du cinéma est de retour, mais pas là où on l’attendait. En effet, la … Continue reading "Le faux groupe de rock Spinal Tap porte plainte contre Vivendi"

Christopher Guest, Rob Reiner, and Michael McKean have joined their This Is Spinal Tap co-star Harry Shearer’s lawsuit against against Vivendi SA over alleged fraudulent accounting related to the 1984 cult classic. Shearer first filed the lawsuit last October, claiming that Vivendi only reported $98 in total income from soundtrack music sales and $81 in … Continue reading "Rob Reiner, Christopher Guest, and Michael McKean Join Harry Shearer’s $400 Million This Is Spinal Tap Lawsuit"

This Is Spinal Tap actors Christopher Guest and Michael McKean and the mockumentary’s director Rob Reiner have joined co-star Harry Shearer’s lawsuit against the film’s rights holder Vivendi. In October, Shearer filed a $125 million lawsuit against Vivendi, alleging accounting misappropriation, fraud and breach of contract in regards to the 1984 cult classic and its … Continue reading "Spinal Tap Crew Joins Harry Shearer’s $400 Million Lawsuit Against Vivendi"

The band members from cult rock mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap have agreed to reunite in a bid they claim will ensure a $400m (£321m) lawsuit against media firm Vivendi “goes to 11”. Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/feb/08/spinal-tap-lawsuit-harry-shearer-rob-reiner-vivendi

A lawsuit alleging that Vivendi, the French media conglomerate, engaged in “anti-competitive behaviour” and “fraudulent accounting” in its management of the royalties generated by the movie This Is Spinal Tap has been turned up to 11. Read more: https://www.ft.com/content/41a47b96-8ba6-37a4-b0ec-53e62f5fabc7

LES ECHOS:   LE CERCLE/POINT DE VUE    16 December 16 Il faut rétablir le droit pour les auteurs à une rémunération proportionnelle à l’utilisation de leurs oeuvres. On nous chante aujourd’hui à longueur de temps les valeurs de l’économie de partage et de l’économie collaborative ; les réseaux sont sociaux et ouverts, et on … Continue reading "LES ECHOS (16 Dec 2016)"

1st December 2016 Full article available here: http://www.lemonde.fr/economie/article/2016/12/01/droits-d-auteur-harry-shearer-connu-pour-etre-la-voix-des-simpsons-attaque-vivendi-aux-etats-unis_5041434_3234.html#lVKyK9T8oc0bKhx4.99 Translation: Creators Rights: Harry Shearer, known as the voice of The Simpsons, Fights Vivendi in the US By filing a complaint against the producer, the American denounces the fraudulent practices of Hollywood studios over remuneration for artists. For fear of being placed on a blacklist, artists rarely … Continue reading "Creators Rights: Harry Shearer, known as the voice of The Simpsons, Fights Vivendi in the US"

(22 October 2016)   The artist’s law suit comes at a time of deepening suspicion of platform owners Philip Delves Broughton There can only be one winner in the case of the actor Harry Shearer v Vivendi, the French media group, over royalties from the 1984 film, This is Spinal Tap. And it’s bad news, … Continue reading "Spinal Tap star turns it up to 11 in fight for royalties"

Spinal Tap has reunited — this time in a Los Angeles court to challenge the French studio Vivendi S.A. for millions in profits from the classic mockumentary “This Is Spinal Tap.” Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Rob Reiner on Tuesday joined a federal lawsuit filed by bandmate and Spinal Tap co-creator Harry Shearer. Shearer, who … Continue reading "Spinal Tap’s Harry Shearer claims he was shorted $125 million"

(18 Oct 2016) Actor, writer and director Harry Shearer, who played Derek Smalls in the band Spinal Tap, is suing the owners of the movie This Is Spinal Tap over royalties. Read the full article on The Register: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/10/18/harry_shearer_spinal_tap_lawsuit/    

(18 Oct 2016) Harry Shearer is taking legal action against entertainment group Vivendi, claiming it has denied him and others profits from 1984’s This is Spinal Tap. Read the full article on The BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-37688670    

(18 Oct 2016) Harry Shearer has launched a $125 million fraud and contract-breach lawsuit against Vivendi and StudioCanal over the 1984 rockumentary classic This Is Spinal Tap. Read the full article on The Hollywood Reporter: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/harry-shearer-files-125-million-939205    

(18 Oct 2016) This Is Spinal Tap star Harry Shearer is suing Universal parent Vivendi for what he alleges is dramatic and deliberate under-payment of music royalties. Read the full article on Music Business Worldwide: http://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/universal-caught-lawsuit-spinal-tap-star-sues-vivendi-125m/    

(18 Oct 2016) L’acteur américain Harry Shearer, voix de nombreux personnages de la série animée “Les Simpsons”, a annoncé mardi attaquer en justice Vivendi. Read the full article on Le Fiagro: http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-eco/2016/10/18/97002-20161018FILWWW00144-la-voix-des-simpsons-porte-plainte-contre-vivendi.php    

(18 Oct 2016) Comedian and actor Harry Shearer said in a lawsuit filed Monday that he’s been bilked for years out of profits generated by “This Is Spinal Tap,” Read the full article on The Wall Street Journal: http://www.wsj.com/articles/actor-harry-shearer-sues-over-spinal-tap-royalties-1476826458    

(19 Oct 2016) In the celebrated 1984 mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap, members of a fictional rock band toured the world under the tutelage of a hapless manager. Read the full article on The Times: http://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/this-is-the-100m-spinal-tap-lawsuit-8vc5tx98g    

(18 Oct 2016) Harry Shearer, who played bass guitarist Derek Smalls in the 1984 “rockumentary”This is Spinal Tap, has gone “to 11” with a $125m lawsuit against Vivendi. Read the full article on FT.com: https://www.ft.com/content/6ff840a0-9516-11e6-a80e-bcd69f323a8b    

(12 Oct 2016) Vincent Bolloré has tightened his grip on Vivendi, pushing his stake in the Paris-based media and content group above the 20 per cent threshold for the first time. Read the full article on FT.com: https://www.ft.com/content/4f5b73e0-8eee-11e6-a72e-b428cb934b78    

The case began in 2003 and dealt with statements about the conglomerate’s liquidity after a $77 billion buying spree. On Tuesday, the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals brought the latest word affirming that Vivendi violated securities law around the turn of the century by making false or misleading statements about the company’s health. The company … Continue reading "Appeals Court Upholds Verdict Against Vivendi for Misleading Shareholders"

(14 Sept 2016) Publishers, musicians and TV makers could find it easier to make money from use of their work on YouTube, Google News and Facebook The EU is proposing strict new copyright rules aimed at making it easier for musicians, TV makers and publishers to make money out of their work online. Google could … Continue reading "Guardian: New EU copyright rules could boost media groups"

(April 2016) Article originally posted here: http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2016/04/28/losses-continue-at-canal-france/   According to French news website LesJours.fr, which has obtained a confidential document, the Canal+ group recorded a net loss of 200,000 subscribers in the first quarter of 2016.    

(April 2016) Article originally posted here: http://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/artist-backlash-over-youtubes-royalty-payments-grows-noisier/ While YouTube swats away major label criticism, anger amongst the artist community over royalties paid out by the video giant is steadily getting louder.  

(13 April 2015) Article originally posted here: http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/6531693/fair-play-fair-pay-act-performance-royalty-radio   The U.S. music industry is attempting yet again to get artists paid for master recordings and performance rights when their songs are broadcast. Will terrestrial radio cave?