News

Singer Rihanna has taken her father to court in the US, accusing him of exploiting her name to further his entertainment business. Read more: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-46886311

Netflix is set to make its biggest subscription price increase ever Jan. 15 as programming and talent costs climb, which sent its stock soaring Tuesday morning up by $20.91, or just over 6 percent to $353.85. Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/netflix-sets-biggest-subscription-price-hike-report-1176148

You can’t make this shit up. In cabinet shakeup Justin Trudeau has appointed David Lametti as Minister of Justice and Attorney General. We are very familiar with Lametti and this dude is very bad news for artists, authors, filmmakers and performers. Read more: https://thetrichordist.com/2019/01/14/pro-piracy-law-professor-appointed-justice-minister-of-canada-attorney-general/

SAG-AFTRA and IATSE threw their support behind a strike called Monday by Actors Equity, telling The Hollywood Reporter that they supported the stage performers’ union action against the lab process used to develop new Broadway shows, particularly musicals. Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/sag-aftra-iatse-declare-support-actors-equity-strike-as-union-warns-strikebreakers-1175386

Storyboard artist Jorgen Klubien looks back fondly on his contribution to Disney’s hit 1994 film The Lion King and is proud that producers acknowledged his conceptualization of a key scene by awarding him a coveted “story” credit. That’s why it stung when he learned that his credit may not appear on this summer’s CGI-enhanced remake, due out … Continue reading "Why Original ‘Lion King’ Writers Are Losing Out With This Year’s Remake"

President Trump may have signed the Music Modernization Act (MMA) into law.  But he’s also throwing a gigantic monkey wrench into process required to transform the MMA into reality. Read more: https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2019/01/10/american-music-licensing-collective-amlc-modernization-act-bid/

As the streaming arms race continues, with companies continuing to splinter into their own service, a new battleground seems to have opened up: free content. Read more: https://www.polygon.com/2019/1/10/18177252/imdb-streaming-service-freedive

On Jan. 6, 2016, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings stood onstage at CES in Las Vegas and declared that the audience was “witnessing the birth of a global TV network.” Now, three years later, the streaming behemoth is learning the unique challenges that come with being a content provider in more than 190 countries. Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/as-netflix-goes-global-saudi-arabia-isnt-trouble-spot-1174717

The New York branch of the musicians’ union threw its support behind a strike called Monday by Actors Equity, announcing Wednesday that it supported the performers’ union action against the lab process used to develop new Broadway shows, particularly musicals. Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/musicians-union-declares-support-actors-strike-1175024

Germany’s box office is coming off a bad year — preliminary figures suggest a double-digit drop in admissions and revenue — but the country’s home entertainment market is stronger than ever. Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/german-home-entertainment-market-soars-past-10-billion-2018-1174821

Squabbling between the US radio industry and Irving Azoff’s boutique collecting society Global Music Rights continues. Though this squabbling relates to an entirely different squabble between the US radio industry and big collecting society BMI. Fun times. Read more: http://www.completemusicupdate.com/article/american-radio-industry-and-global-music-rights-spar-over-subpoena-in-bmi-case/

Actors Equity declared a strike Monday against the lab process used to develop new Broadway shows, particularly musicals. The union, which represents performers on stage, said it had been trying for two years to negotiate a new contract with the Broadway League, which represents theater owners, producers and others. Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/actors-equity-strike-share-record-broadway-profits-1174489

Olivia de Havilland, the 102-year-old actress known for roles in Gone With the Wind and The Adventures of Robin Hood, won’t get another crack at legal glory. On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected her petition to review the dismissal of her lawsuit brought against the makers of FX’s Feud: Bette and Joan. Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/supreme-court-denies-review-olivia-de-havillands-feud-lawsuit-1174078

Writing has never been a lucrative career choice, but a recent study by the Authors Guild, a professional organization for book writers, shows that it may not even be a livable one anymore. Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/05/books/authors-pay-writer.html

SoundExchange reported $63.61 million in total revenue for 2017, slightly up from $56.4 million the prior year thanks mainly to its acquisition of the Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency (CMRRA). Read more: https://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/8492304/a-look-at-soundexchanges-2017-financials-from-its-irs-filing

Black filmmakers like Ryan Coogler (“Black Panther”), Spike Lee (“BlackKklansman”) and Antoine Fuqua (“Equalizer 2”) directed 16 of the top 100 movies at the box office in 2018, nearly three times as many as 2017 and double what they achieved a decade ago, according to a new study. Read more: https://www.thewrap.com/black-filmmakers-directed-record-number-of-top-grossing-movies-in-2018/

NEW YORK (Reuters) – A U.S. judge has rejected English singer and songwriter Ed Sheeran’s request to dismiss a lawsuit accusing him of lifting from Marvin Gaye’s 1973 classic “Let’s Get It On” for his 2014 smash “Thinking Out Loud.” Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-music-sheeran-lawsuit/us-judge-orders-ed-sheeran-to-face-marvin-gaye-plagiarism-lawsuit-idUSKCN1OX1RQ

Sales of CDs plummeted by 23% last year, as consumers flocked to streaming services for their music. Read more: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-46735093

On 12 December 2018 Advocate General (AG) Szpunar delivered his Opinion in Case C-476/17, Pelham. The case concerns the practice of sampling, i.e. the reproduction of minimal parts of a phonogram for the purposes of using it in another phonogram. Read more: http://copyrightblog.kluweriplaw.com/2019/01/02/thou-shalt-not-sample-without-permission/

As part of a new trade agreement with the US and Mexico, Canada will extend its current copyright term to 70 years after the creator’s death. In theory, extending the copyright term will allow rights holders to generate more profit. Read more: https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2019/01/01/japan-extends-copyright-protection/

Several months ago, negotiators from the US and Canada reached a trade agreement.  The deal – made right before a midnight deadline – came after a year of arduous negotiations. Yet, not everyone agreed with the outcome. Read more: https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2018/12/28/bryan-adams-canadian-copyright-extension/

The Philippines isn’t exactly known for safeguarding copyright owners’ legitimate works. That could soon change, however. According to a new report, Senator Vicente ‘Toto’ Castello III has introduced a bill to tackle the problem of rampant online piracy in the country. Read more: https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2018/12/28/philippines-ipo-anti-piracy-isp-bill/

Several months ago, negotiators from the US and Canada reached a trade agreement. The deal – made right before the midnight deadline – came after more than a year of arduous negotiations. Yet, not everyone agreed with the new trade agreement. Read more: https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2018/12/28/bryan-adams-canadian-copyright-extension/

As part of the video platform’s large-scale protest against the EU’s Copyright Directive, YouTube has pointed to its Content ID as an existing viable solution. According to YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki and YouTube Music chief Lyor Cohen, Content ID already does enough to protect owners. Read more: https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2018/12/27/christian-buettner-thefatrat-youtube-content-id-petition/

After soliciting comments, the U.S. Copyright Office adopted a final rule governing the eligibility requirements for the Single Application, an online registration option that allows a single author to register a claim in one work that is solely owned by the same author and is not a work made for hire. Read more: https://www.copyright.gov/rulemaking/streamlining-single/?loclr=eanco

“Historic” was the adjective of choice for artists, songwriters and politicians alike when Congress passed the Music Modernization Act earlier this year. The overdue bundle of reform — intended to update copyright rules for the streaming age and help music-makers take home more money — was an industry-wide effort, years in the making. Read more: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/music-modernization-act-congress-mma-bill-772981/

There were just a few weeks to go before the start of production on Babylon Berlin, the most ambitious German television series of all time, when Stefan Arndt lost his nerve. Arndt, a veteran film producer (Run Lola Run, The White Ribbon) has spent years putting together what was his dream project: an epic television series set … Continue reading "How the ‘Babylon Berlin’ Team Broke the Rules to Make the World’s Biggest Foreign-Language Series"

Early last year, Digital Music News published its streaming royalty payouts list. Thanks to information from third-party websites, we ranked streaming music services according to their per-stream rate. We found Pandora had the highest per-play royalty rate.  At $0.01682 per play, an independent artist would need around 87,515 plays to earn the US monthly minimum wage of … Continue reading "What Streaming Music Services Pay (Updated for 2019)"

Several months ago, APRA AMCOS, a copyright collective representing Australian and New Zealander composers, lyricists, and musicians, called on lawmakers to force ‘cultural quotas’ on streaming services. Quotas, the association argued, would help promote more Australian content.  With this in mind, APRA AMCOS and the Screen Producers of Australia (SPA) presented two ideas to the Australian … Continue reading "The European Union Wants to Implement Forced Content Quotas on Streaming Services by the End of 2019"

(Dec. 21, 2018) On December 5, 2018, South Africa’s National Assembly, one of the houses of the country’s bicameral legislature, passed the Copyright Amendment Bill, 2017, which seeks to amend the 1978 Copyright Act. (Mercedes Besent, Copyright Amendment Bill Passed, SABC NEWS (Dec. 6, 2018); Copyright Act No. 98 of 1978 (hereinafter “the principal Act”), National Library of South … Continue reading "South Africa: National Assembly Passes Copyright Amendment Bill, Adopts Expansive Fair Use Exception"

Spotify  has settled the $1.6 billion lawsuit filed by music publisher Wixen Music Publishing in December 2017. The publisher, which represented artists like Tom Petty, Missy Elliot, Stevie Nicks and Neil Young, alleged copyright infringement, saying that Spotify was using tens of thousands of songs without a proper license. The financial terms of the settlement were not disclosed, but Spotify has … Continue reading "Spotify settles the $1.6B copyright lawsuit filed by music publisher Wixen"

In a major victory for the rule of law and a total vindication for Rightscorp, Magistrate Judge Andrew Austin ruling in the labels’ contributory copyright infringement case against Grande Communications, a Texas-based ISP, has recommended that Grande be denied the DMCA safe harbor defense in a copyright infringement case for failing to implement a repeat infringer policy.  (UMG … Continue reading "No Alibi For Grande: Labels and Rightscorp Score Major Strike on Value Gap"

Earlier this year, Canadian award-winning cellist and composer Zoe Keating shared her Spotify payouts with Digital Music News. Using RouteNote as her distributor, she earned $4,388.93.  Fans streamed her works 1,154,513 times.  Keating earned just $0.0038015 per stream. Using CD Baby, she earned a slightly higher Spotify payout.  At a per-stream rate of $0.0039, Keating earned $5,654.58 … Continue reading "What Spotify Paid One Artist in 2018"

What exactly did Spotify and Netflix access in your Facebook account? Facebook isn’t exactly well known for keeping users’ data to itself. Several years ago, a relatively unknown London political consulting firm accessed data for about 50 million Facebook users for political purposes. Read more: https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2018/12/19/facebook-spotify-netflix-private-user-messages/

On the surface, The Godfather, The Sixth Sense and Little Miss Sunshine appear to have little in common. But even though these films belong to different genres and have very different plots, technically they have the same “emotional arc” – a journey of highs and lows. Read more: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-46385657

Global revenues from subscription streaming video services will overtake the total worldwide box office next year, a study published Monday by Ampere Analysis forecasts. Global subscription revenue is expected to top $46 billion, compared with just under $40 billion in worldwide theatrical revenue, it predicts. Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/global-streaming-revenue-set-outpace-box-office-2019-study-finds-1169945

The European music industry has long pushed for an overhaul on the use of copyrighted works online. IMPALA’s Helen Smith, for example, has stated that the EU’s Copyright Directive – and Article 13 – would force user-uploaded platforms (i.e., YouTube and Facebook) to pay more in royalties when using artists’ works online.  This would “fix” the … Continue reading "Did YouTube Just Pull a Fast One? Vivendi, EU Music Organizations are Suddenly Slamming Article 13"

According to German band Kraftwerk, rapper and hip hop music producer Moses Pelham outright stole a two-second sequence from the 1977 track ‘Metall auf Metall’ (Metal on Metal).  Pelham had transformed the sequence into an endless loop and used it in on rapper Sabrina Setlur’s ‘Nur Mir’ (Only Me). Read more: https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2018/12/13/eu-advocate-general-music-sampling-infringement/

A judge has entered a nearly $5 million judgment against Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams in favor of Marvin Gaye’s family in the long-running lawsuit involving copyright infringement surrounding Thicke and Williams’ song “Blurred Lines” and Gaye’s 1977 hit “Got to Give It Up,” Billboard reports. Read more: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/robin-thicke-pharrell-williams-blurred-lines-copyright-suit-final-5-million-dollar-judgment-768508/

Those hoping to resell digital files of songs and movies got some mixed news Wednesday when the Second Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a copyright judgment against ReDigi in a closely followed case. Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/appeals-court-weighs-resale-digital-files-1168577

Paris, December 10th, 2018 – The Brazilian government has authorised two audiovisual societies to collect royalties for screenwriters and directors for the first time. The decision, which comes after four years of lobbying by the creative community, is a vital step forward in the campaign for a fair remuneration right in Brazil. Read more: http://www.cisac.org/Newsroom/News-Releases/Brazilian-directors-and-screenwriters-step-closer-to-fair-remuneration-as-government-authorises-new-societies

Walking Dead creator Frank Darabont and CAA will head to trial against AMC in a massive lawsuit over the mega-hit zombie series after a New York judge largely denied summary judgment motions on Monday. The decision represents somewhat of a favorable development for AMC, which is alleged to have cheated profit participants through self-dealing agreements and … Continue reading "‘Walking Dead’ Co-Creator Frank Darabont’s $280M Suit Against AMC Headed to Trial"

Swedish Collective Management Organisation (STIM) and the Swedish Artists’ and Musicians’ Interest Organisation (SAMI) brought two separate proceedings against two companies that operate in the automobile leasing/renting industry. Both cases followed missed payment (since 2014) of yearly licensing fees to STIM and SAMI, and they are currently pending before the Swedish Supreme Court. This has now decided to stay the … Continue reading "Double trouble: fresh CJEU reference from Swedish Supreme Court regarding scope of communication to the public inside cars"

European creators are alleging a scaremongering campaign by YouTube, and more than 30 entities representing creators in France say Google and YouTube are leading a massive fake information campaign against the European copyright directive currently under discussion in order to protect their commercial interests. Read more: http://www.ip-watch.org/2018/12/05/google-youtube-accused-disinformation-scaremongering-european-authors/

The International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC) has launched a sanctions procedure against SGAE, the Spanish rights society, which could result in the expulsion of SGAE from the global organization. Read more: https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8488698/cisac-launches-sanctions-procedure-against-sgae

Members of the European Parliament have condemned Google’s role in encouraging children to pester their parents about EU copyright legislation that the corporation fears will hurt its profits. Read more: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2018/12/04

Independent record labels accounted for 39.9% of the global recorded music market in 2017 – up from 39.6% in 2016 – according to new figures from the World Independent Network. Read more: http://www.completemusicupdate.com/article/indies-accounted-for-39-9-of-recorded-music-revenues-in-2017-says-win/

If someone takes part in a photo shoot for the promotion of a clothing line, they consented to his or her image being used online as part of the designers’ advertising campaign – surely? Similarly, if you blur somebody’s face in a film so much so that he or she is no longer recognizable, you have dispensed … Continue reading "Commercial use of image rights: Paris Tribunal boosts models and performers’ protection"

Netflix is nearing a deal for a long-term lease at UK-based Pinewood Studios, where the latest round of “Star Wars” movies, as well as a number of “James Bond” flicks, has been filmed. Read more: https://nypost.com/2018/11/30/netflix-nearing-deal-to-lease-famed-pinewood-studios-in-uk/

Reggae has been added to a list of international cultural treasures which the United Nations has deemed worthy of protecting and promoting. The music, which grew out of Jamaica in the 1960s thanks to artists like Toots and the Maytals, Peter Tosh and Bob Marley, was added to the collection due to its “intangible cultural … Continue reading "Reggae music to be protected by the UN"

A November court ruling over the authorship of a classic Everly Brothers song may provide incentive for songwriters — and publishers — to tidy up ownership records that could significantly affect their wallets and those of their heirs. Read more: https://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/legal-and-management/8486923/everly-brothers-at-odds-in-case-over-lucrative-cathys

When a media conglomerate is the subject of a news story, we expect the news organization owned by the parent company to acknowledge that relationship in its reporting.  So, when ABC News reports a story, positive or negative, about the Disney Corporation, it is standard practice that the reporter remind viewers that she is talking about … Continue reading "YouTube’s Tactics Re. Article 13 Are the Real Concern"

In a flurry of activity over the last few week, the Copyright Royalty Board has cemented some previous determinations for on-demand services and background music services, amended some of its regulations for rate determinations made this year, while extending a period for comment on the Music Modernization Act’s impact on other CRB regulations. Read more: https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8486991/

Earlier this month, Digital Music News first reported on a surprise entrant into the post-MMA world.  Instead of a one-horse race to fill the role of the MMA’s Mechanical Licensing Collective, or MLC, a surprise second choice emerged. Read more: https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2018/11/28/amlc-nmpa-president-david-israelite-collusion/

In the future, when we chart the year the movie business changed, we may thank — or blame — Noah Centineo. That’s because the square-jawed heartthrob’s teen romantic comedy for Netflix, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, is pointing the way toward a new hierarchy in Hollywood, one in which the 106-year-old studio behind movies like The … Continue reading "“A New Paradigm”: How Netflix and Apple Are Upending Hollywood Hierarchy With Studio Deals"

The German record industry has welcomed a ruling in the Appeal Court of Munich which confirms that a stream-ripping site that copies tracks from internet radio feeds cannot rely on the private copy exception to avoid liability for copyright infringement. Read more: http://www.completemusicupdate.com/article/german-court-says-stream-ripping-not-covered-by-private-copy-exception/

Taylor Swift’s latest record deal contained a clause in which Universal finally committed to sharing any gains from a future sale of Spotify (which the company invested in along with Sony and Warner) with all its artists, not just those whose accounts are in the black. Read more: https://boingboing.net/2018/11/25/look-what-she-made-them-do.html?

Brussels, 23 November 2018 We the undersigned representatives of the creators and the creative sector wish to express our strong support for the adoption of the Broadcasting and Retransmissions (SatCab) instrument. We appreciate the considerable efforts you have made and urge you to complete your important work to modernise the EU legal framework without any … Continue reading "Joint call of European creators and producers on broadcasting and retransmissions instrument"

Rwanda, it is fair to say, is not on anyone’s list of top film locations worldwide. But that might be about to change. The government of President Paul Kagame and powerful players in the country’s nascent audiovisual industry have thrown their weight behind transforming this Eastern African nation into a hub for film and television … Continue reading "Rwanda Devises Big Plans to Build Its Own Film Industry: “We Have a Chance to Tell Our Stories”"

The EU wants to punish Google for allegedly underpaying artists for the use of their works on YouTube, and so they’re proposing copyright filters that block anything that appears in an anonymously created, crowdsourced database of forbidden works that are allegedly in copyright. Read more: https://boingboing.net/2018/11/21/dont-break-the-net.html

About a year ago, Anne Schedeen realized she hadn’t seen any residuals in a while from Alf, the hit ’80s series in which she co-starred. That seemed odd to the actress, so she asked her husband, Chris Barrett, to give SAG-AFTRA a call. The response he got? “Oh,” said a staffer, according to Barrett, formerly the … Continue reading "$2 Billion in Residuals Are Paid Annually — But How Much Gets Lost?"

The list of content assets controlled by WarnerMedia is massive — from the Harry Potter and DC Comics universes to classic movies and TV shows like Gone With the Wind and Friends — but those might not be enough to compete in the streaming wars, especially when Disney launches its Disney+ service next year. Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/netflix-effect-can-rivals-compete-by-bulking-up-content-1162416

The IFPI is challenging Google’s claim that YouTube has paid out over $1.8 billion to the music industry in the past year, saying that figure doesn’t line up with the international non-for-profit’s own research. Read more: https://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/digital-and-mobile/8485359/ifpi-refutes-claim-youtube-paid-music-industry-18b-says

The creation of works by artificial intelligence systems (AIS) challenges our perception of creativity and, with it, of eligibility for copyright protection. Examples abound. AIS can autonomously create paintings, literary works, music, or even artificial photos. Were these works created by a human being, their eligibility for copyright protection would not be controversial. However, it is unclear whether the … Continue reading "Ex Machina, Ex Auctore? Machines that create and how EU copyright law views them"

While collective rights management for music creators has since long been a tradition, these figures demonstrate that the rights of directors and screenwriters have not yet caught up. There is room for improvement for the collections across all creative sectors, but the discrepancy between royalties’ collection for audiovisual authors and the actual distribution and consumption … Continue reading "Royalities for audiovisual authors – a drop in the ocean"

Say what you like about Donald Trump. Oh wait, that wasn’t supposed to be the end of that sentence. Say what you like about Trump, but when it comes to successes, he’s had plenty. For example, he is definitely the US president that CMU has written the most about in all of its 20 year history. And … Continue reading "Beef Of The Week #429: Musicians v Donald Trump (Mid-term special)"

A judge in California has declined to dismiss a lawsuit launched by songwriter and record producer Kevin Risto over the fees American performer unions AFM and SAG-AFTRA charge the royalty distribution fund they set up. Read more: http://www.completemusicupdate.com/article/songwriters-lawsuit-against-session-musician-royalty-fund-allowed-to-proceed/

Paris, November 8th, 2018 – Global royalties’ collections for creators of music, audiovisual, visual arts, drama and literature rose to a record high of €9.6 billion in 2017, up 6.2% on the previous year, according to the 2018 Global Collections Report published today by CISAC (International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers). Read more: http://www.cisac.org/Newsroom/News-Releases/Digital-royalties-to-creators-top-1-billion-as-global-collections-rise-6.2-to-9.6-billion

Romania has unveiled Europe’s most generous film incentives, with the Eastern European country’s government approving a cash rebate scheme worth up to 45 percent of a film’s budget for qualifying international productions. Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/romania-unveils-europes-generous-film-incentives-1158922

Founders of a new trade body focused on the so called neighbouring rights sector have formally announced the launch of the new organisation, to be known as the Independent Alliance For Artists Rights, of IAFAR for short. Read more: http://www.completemusicupdate.com/article/new-neighbouring-rights-trade-body-launches/

The American Federation Of Musicians and fellow US performer union SAG-AFTRA have asked a Californian judge to dismiss a lawsuit over the fees they take for their involvement in the fund that pays session musicians their cut of performing rights income. Read more: http://www.completemusicupdate.com/article/us-performer-unions-say-dispute-over-royalty-fund-fees-should-be-dismissed/

A new directive adopted today by European Union member governments updates and strengthens regulations on video-sharing platforms and other newer forms of media, emphasising the public interest, elevating protections for children, and establishing a 30 percent quota of European content in on-demand audiovisual media services. Read more: http://www.ip-watch.org/2018/11/06/new-eu-directive-limits-hate-speech-establishes-european-content-quotas/

On 6 November 2018, AEPO-ARTIS released the preliminary version of its study “Performers’ Rights in International and European Legislation: Situation and Elements for Improvement, October 2018”. Read more: http://www.aepo-artis.org/en/news/detail/-125-1

Gathered in Rotterdam on November 6th for the final event of the European project Dance Futures – Creating Transition Schemes for Dancers and Promoting Sustainable Mobility in the Dance Sector, the European group of the International Federation of Actors (FIA) has launched its new Dance Passport. Read more: https://fia-actors.com/no_cache/media/news/news-detail/article/launch-of-the-dance-passport-a-union-solidarity-network-for-dancers-abroad/

November 5th, during the CIAM annual congress in Mexico City, CIAM and continental alliance ECSA formalised cooperation and harmony among the two organisations with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The MOU promotes cooperation and international harmony among CIAM and the continental alliances. Read more: http://www.ciamcreators.org/european-composer-songwriter-alliance-ecsa-and-international-council-of-music-creators-ciam-reinforce-united-front-for-creators-by-signing-memorandum-of-understanding/

Earlier this year, we wrote a bunch of posts on the Copyright Office’s request for comment on changes needed to the DMCA’s anti-circumvention exemption list. There were lots of interesting submissions, but one that caught my attention was a whole bunch of film association groups, most of them for documentarians, advocating that the anti-circumvention they enjoyed to … Continue reading "Copyright Office Extends Anti-Circumvention DMCA Exemptions To All Filmmakers, Not Just Documentarians"

For years, it seemed everyone in the indie film business wanted to be the next Summit Entertainment. The production and distribution group, founded in 1991 and acquired by Lionsgate in 2012, perfected the art of doing studio-sized independent movies — epitomized by the Twilight franchise — that were rolled out with blockbuster-style marketing campaigns and wide releases … Continue reading "Niche Distributors Fill Gap Left by the Demise of Weinstein"

Content creators at Al Jazeera English, based in the United States, voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to recognize SAG-AFTRA as their union, with 97 percent voting in favor, the union said. In an unusual but not unprecedented move for SAG-AFTRA, the newly represented employees include not just on-air hosts and reporters, but also behind-the-scenes editors and camerapersons. … Continue reading "Al Jazeera English Content Creators Unionize With SAG-AFTRA"

Last Friday, European regulators confirmed indie music organizations’ worst nightmare. The European Commission approved Sony’s $2.4 billion acquisition of EMI Music Publishing without conditions.  The move has made Sony/ATV the world’s largest music publisher. Now, with the acquisition confirmed, Sony is quickly taking care of post-acquisition business. Read more: https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2018/10/30/latest-sony-solar-paneuropean-deal-extension/

The U.S. Supreme Court declines a lot of cases and challenges, often with little explanation.  The reject list now includes a test of the hotly-contested Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), which media industries have long decried as a loophole exploited by tech companies. Read more: https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2018/10/30/supreme-court-dmca/

At an Indiana rally just hours after the fatal mass shooting at a synagogue in Pittsburgh, President Donald Trump played ‘Happy.’  Now, clearly upset, Pharrell Williams has sent a cease-and-desist letter to the Commander-in-Chief. Read more: https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2018/10/30/lates-pharrell-williams-happy-donald-trump-threat/

As Amazon, Apple and Facebook bulk up on streaming video and Netflix nears escape velocity fueled by $10 billion in debt, there’s a growing awareness that Hollywood is caught in the tractor beam of big tech. These companies have been a boon for the creative industry so far, catalyzing a content arms race resulting in … Continue reading "Big Tech, Don’t Keep Your Hollywood Talent in the Dark (Guest Column)"

A few weeks ago, I published a map – that I created for my students – detailing the main potential events in the life of an EU/national trade mark. Today I have prepared a new student map, this time devoted to the main potential events in the life of a copyright work in Europe. Read more: http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2018/10/what-can-be-main-events-in-life-of.html

SoundCloud has rewritten the contract that accompanies the monetisation programme it offers DIY artists. Or, officially speaking, it has “clarified [and] removed elements” of the contract it had previously written. This follows criticism of the terms it was offering under its SoundCloud Premier scheme. Read more: http://www.completemusicupdate.com/article/soundcloud-amends-its-premier-contract-following-criticism/

SoundCloud has responded to criticism last week about the terms and conditions of the monetisation programme it is now rolling out to all DIY music-makers. Read more: http://www.completemusicupdate.com/article/soundcloud-defends-terms-of-monetisation-for-diy-artists/

Italian song rights collecting SIAE has been ordered to deal with monopoly concerns by Italy’s Competition Authority. The regulator has told SIAE to end what it calls proven market distortion tactics and to ensure such tactics are not employed in the future. Read more: http://www.completemusicupdate.com/article/italian-competition-regulator-makes-demands-of-collecting-society-siae/

Songwriters and independent music companies have hit out at the decision of competition regulators in Europe to approve Sony’s deals to take complete ownership of EMI Music Publishing. The European Commission announced it was green lighting the deals on Friday, despite Sony making no concessions to address the concerns of those who opposed them. Read … Continue reading "Indies and songwriters hit out as European Commission approves Sony’s EMI deal"

Spotify’s Daniel Ek is betting big on developing a ‘two-sided marketplace’ for music. With the company’s market cap on a downward trend despite strong growth metrics, Ek might find himself having to play up the disruption narrative more boldly and more quickly than he’d planned. Read more: https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/spotify-doing-a-netflix-is-daniel-eks-service-too-big-for-the-labels-to-stop-it/

FIA members remember with great clarity the furore that surrounded the 2010 ‘Hobbit Law’ in New Zealand, passed in haste to address producer concerns around potential unpredictability of labour conditions. It designated all film industry workers as ‘independent contractors’, effectively depriving them of their collective labour rights, with a direct impact on working time, holiday … Continue reading "A Path Opens in New Zealand to the Restoration of Collective Bargaining for Film Workers"

SoundCloud has been trying to reposition itself as a creator-first community ever since new CEO Kerry Trainor was brought on last year. The past month in particular has seen a rash of announcements tailored specifically to DJs and indie artists: the platform integrated in popular DJ software, partnered with rights clearance startup Dubset, and finally made SoundCloud Premier public after … Continue reading "SOUNDCLOUD’S NEW ARTIST CONTRACT IS A RAW DEAL FOR MUSICIANS"

On Thursday at the Tokyo International Film Festival, the Motion Picture Association pushed for an anti-piracy site blocking policy in Japan, where concerns about the constitutionality of such measures have so far prevented its adoption. Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/tokyo-mpa-urges-japan-adopt-site-blocking-piracy-battle-1155290

EU regulators will not launch a full investigation into Sony Corp’s acquisition of EMI Music Publishing. It means the deal can go ahead without any conditions, despite strong representations made by trade bodies during the consultation process. Read more: http://www.musicweek.com/publishing/read/impala-slams-eu-s-approval-of-sony-s-emi-publishing-deal/074247

A New York federal judge has rejected a motion for partial summary judgment in a copyright lawsuit brought by the artist Lina Iris Viktor over the video to the song, “All the Stars,” from the Black Panther soundtrack. Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/judge-wont-rule-reputational-damage-kendrick-lamars-all-my-stars-video-1154960

In 2015, Jack Allison, a comedian with a nerdy affect and an impish wit, was a staff writer on The Jimmy Kimmel Show, doing what he loved best: Hanging out with a bunch of other funny people, writing jokes, and downing Twizzlers. In other words, he was a Hollywood TV scribe. Read more: https://www.fastcompany.com/90250828/the-death-of-hollywoods-middle-class

Famed guitar maker Gibson is changing its corporate leaders as the company plans to emerge from bankruptcy protection on Nov. 1. Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/gibson-guitars-bankruptcy-set-end-picks-leaders-58712326

Admittedly, Facebook hasn’t had a great 2018. During its Q2 2018 earnings call, company executives revealed what investors have long feared – the social media platform may have peaked.  Facebook had experienced its slowest growth ever.  The European Union’s GDPR privacy implementation, as well as the Cambridge Analytica scandal, may have impacted users’ confidence, after all. Read … Continue reading "Facebook Unveils Music on Stories, Expands Lip Sync Live, and Will Soon Launch Songs on Profile"

The Writer Guild agreement prohibits uncompensated writing but in the screenwriting world, a slippery process has emerged, says WGA West: studio executives and producers often expect or request “leave behinds” — short written summaries that writers leave behind after a pitch. Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/writing-free-hollywood-guild-wants-stop-1154637

Today, Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society, received a delegation handing over a  signed by more than 21,000 supporters of Europe’s screenwriters and directors and their right to fair and proportionate remuneration.  Read more: http://www.filmdirectors.eu/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/23.10.2018-FERA-FSE-SAA-PR-Petition-hand-over-to-Commissioner.pdf  

Desperate times for YouTube. CEO Susan Wojcicki is currently organizing a Childrens Crusade, against EU MEPs by urging YouTubers (mostly US teens) to “take action” to protect her $772 billion dollar company’s swollen profits. You see the EU just proposed guidelines (article 13) requiring platforms like YouTube to stop hiding behind its users and pay musicians fairly.  She thinks … Continue reading "Does YouTube Underpay Artists 13 Billion a Year? Understanding YouTube’s Article 13 Freakout"

A recent trend in the not-always-necessarily-dull world of collective licensing has been certain collecting societies launching new divisions or businesses that provide an assortment of rights management and royalty processing services to other collecting societies. And also directly to music publishers, songwriters and other rights owners, beyond the usual licensing and royalties gubbins societies do … Continue reading "SOCAN launches new services business Dataclef"

The boss of Google’s safe harbour dwelling YouTube has been talking copyright directive. Because, as you all surely vividly remember, the European Parliament voted through the latest draft of the new European Copyright Directive last month – including the controversial safe harbour reform contained in what is called ‘article thirteen’. Read more: http://www.completemusicupdate.com/article/youtube-boss-urges-youtubers-to-instigate-one-last-push-against-article-thirteen/

SAG-AFTRA has reached a tentative agreement with major labels following months of negotiations.  The three-year agreement is a successor contract to the existing SAG-AFTRA National Code of Fair Practice for Sound Recordings. Read more: https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2018/10/22/latest-sag-aftra-major-labels-agreement/

The country’s major CMO, AEPI (the Hellenic Society for Protection of Intellectual Property), was investigated by the country’s Public Prosecutor in March 2017 after widespread allegations of corruption. Read more: https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/greeces-music-rights-sector-in-turmoil-as-head-of-copyright-office-steps-down/

Eduardo “Teddy” Bautista was the powerful president of Spanish authors rights society SGAE until he was arrested seven years ago in a federal sting operation and charged with misappropriation of funds. He is still awaiting trial in the case, which authorities say cost the organization 20 million euros (almost $26 million), and could be sentenced to seven … Continue reading "Teddy Bautista, Ousted President of Spanish Rights Group SGAE, Plots Return"

Since entering the Indian market, streaming giants Netflix and Amazon have made aggressive moves to capture subscribers in the world’s second most populous country. A new study, however, reveals that Indians prefer to stream free content offered by the likes of YouTube over paid services. Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/indians-prefer-youtube-netflix-amazon-study-says-1152609

Two contracts in two days; three contracts in a week: The Writers Guild of America East has been having a busy time, and the month is just half over. On Wednesday, the guild announced that writers at Salon had unanimously ratified their first collective bargaining agreement, marking the union’s seventh contract in digital media. The day before, … Continue reading "Salon Staff, NBC Promo Writers Ratify Contracts With Writers Guild East"

It took two decades of intense lobbying to pass and sign into law the Music Modernization Act. Now the hard part begins: implementing the first copyright law changes in 20 years. Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-modernization-acts-next-challenge-how-implement-law-1152751

It’s no secret European music organizations are staunchly opposed to Sony’s proposed acquisition of EMI Music Publishing. According to Helen Smith, chief executive of IMPALA, the Japanese conglomerate would pose a serious threat to local artists and industry. Read more: https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2018/10/16/latest-impala-sony-emi-music-charts-control/

New research commissioned by the leading provider of B2B streaming – the Spotify-backed Soundtrack Your Brand – reckons that the music community is missing out on $2.65 billion per year because of businesses using personal streaming services in commercial spaces. Read more: http://www.completemusicupdate.com/article/the-music-industry-is-losing-2-65-billion-as-businesses-fail-to-stream-properly-study-finds/

Ed Sheeran being sued for allegedly ripping off a Marvin Gaye song might sound like a re-run of the famous ‘Blurred Lines’ song-theft case. But both sides in the legal dispute over Sheeran’s hit ‘Thinking Out Loud’ have been spending more time considering another recent plagiarism dispute. Which is to say, both sides have written … Continue reading "Lawyers in Ed Sheeran song-theft case debate impact of Stairway To Heaven appeals court judgement"

FilmLA announced on Tuesday that the Los Angeles area experienced a third consecutive quarter of increased film production, rising 11 percent from the same period in 2017. Read more: https://www.thewrap.com/la-movie-production-goes-up-for-third-straight-quarter-on-back-of-once-upon-a-time-in-hollywood/

U.S. District Judge Jon McCalla of the Western District of Tennessee recently issued an order denying motions made by interactive streaming music provider Spotify to dismiss a case including copyright infringement claims brought by independent music publisher and copyright administration company Bluewater Music Corporation. Judge McCalla’s order determined Bluewater has standing for all 2,142 music compositions it … Continue reading "Western Tennessee Judge Denies Spotify’s Motions to Dismiss Copyright Infringement Claims Brought by Bluewater Music"

Music copyright is shaping up to be a hot topic this year, despite being both historically overlooked and historically extremely confusing. While the actual workings of royalties and licensing policies are still as convoluted as ever, attention on them — and their dysfunctions — has ramped up thanks to the Music Modernization Act’s passage in the U.S. … Continue reading "Songwriters Around the World Are Fighting For the Same Thing"

Dear Ministers, The Federation of European Film Directors (FERA), the Federation of Screenwriters in Europe (FSE) and the Society of Audiovisual Authors (SAA), representing the audiovisual authors’ community in Europe, would like to express their support for the European Parliament’s position on the Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market adopted on 12 September. … Continue reading "Open letter to EU Ministers: What the Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market could bring to audiovisual authors"

The European Union’s recent, sweeping changes to its copyright legislation aims to stop the rampant piracy of content, such as movies and music, while finding ways for artists and creators to get fairly compensated for their work when it is used or shared online. It also aims to create a more sustainable environment for news … Continue reading "‘Meme bans’ and ‘link taxes’: a copyright reform explainer"

In a new lawsuit that is hardly typical, journalist Hillary Johnson is claiming to be the copyright co-owner of numerous taped interviews with Gilda Radner, the Saturday Night Live star who tragically died of cancer in 1989. Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/journalist-hits-magnolia-cnn-films-copyright-suit-using-her-gilda-radner-interviews-1151869

After years of planning and months of careful negotiations in Congress, America’s Music Modernization Act yesterday landed on the desk of President Donald Trump to be signed into law. With his ink now very much on the page, this major round of copyright reform Stateside can actually begin. Read more: http://www.completemusicupdate.com/article/mma-signed-into-law-and-then-kanye-west-waffled/

There were some “Good Vibrations” at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue on Thursday. Musicians including Mike Love from the Beach Boys, Kid Rock, John Rich of Big and Rich, and Sam Moore of Sam and Dave came to the White House for the signing of a bill that substantially changes the way musicians are compensated for their work played … Continue reading "Trump signs bill that ensures music streaming services pay artist royalties"

Employees at Netflix and Amazon Prime better get used to reading subtitles. Because the U.S. streaming giants may be about to get a lot more European. Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/netflix-content-quota-europe-may-lead-tv-buying-spree-1150805

Any work that is entitled to copyright protection automatically receives protection when it is fixed in a tangible medium of expression. However, in order to benefit from the Copyright Act, the owner must “register” his or her work with the United States Copyright Office. Put another way, in order to protect against copyright infringement, the … Continue reading "SCOTUS Will Decide What the Copyright Act Means by “Registered.”"

Michael Rapino, the CEO of Ticketmaster parent Live Nation, earned $70.6 million in 2017, enough to make him the best-paid chief executive in the entertainment industry, edging ousted CBS CEO Leslie Moonves at $69.3 million. Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/rupert-murdoch-made-87b-fox-sale-1150554

Snap announced 12 scripted shows on Snapchat Wednesday in an effort to spark a renewed interest in the app as it hemorrhages users and money. Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2018/10/10/

AT&T will make a run at Netflix with a new streaming service that’ll feature HBO and other media properties acquired in the Time Warner merger. Read more: https://uk.pcmag.com/sling-television/117893/news/att-to-launch-netflix-competitor-next-year

Paris, October 9th, 2018 – CISAC President Jean-Michel Jarre, Board Chairperson Eric Baptiste and Director General Gadi Oron met with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres in New York on October 8th. Read more: http://www.cisac.org/Newsroom/News-Releases/CISAC-meets-with-United-Nations-Secretary-General-Guterres-in-New-York-cements-closer-relations-and-offers-collaboration

IFPI has today released its Music Consumer Insight Report 2018. The report examines the ways in which music consumers aged 16-64 engage with recorded music across 20 of the world’s largest music markets. Read more: https://ifpi.org/news/IFPI-releases-2018-music-consumer-insight-report

In an age where information is tightly controlled by image-makers, spin doctors and gatekeepers, real scandal can often only be revealed with the help of whistleblowers. To mark the 25th anniversary of the whistleblowing charity Protect (formerly known as Public Concern at Work) – we focus on 12 people who have taken great personal risk … Continue reading "‘I had a moral duty’: whistleblowers on why they spoke up"

The U.K.’s package of tax incentives has helped spark a production boom that has seen much of Disney’s Star Wars and Marvel output, not to mention major TV shows such as The Crown and Black Mirror, flock to British shores over the past few years. Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/uk-tax-benefits-provide-record-103b-boost-economy-bfi-report-shows-1150481

NEW YORK, Oct 8 (Reuters) – Walmart Inc said on Monday it would partner with U.S. movie studio Metro Goldwyn Mayer to create content for its video-on-demand service, Vudu, which the retailer bought eight years ago. Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/walmart-partnership-mgm/walmart-partners-with-mgm-to-boost-video-on-demand-service-vudu-idUSL2N1WN0BE

The Country Financial report states that 54% of Americans use some variety of streaming service, with at least 59% of that number using services at least once a week.  25% of respondents said they use streaming services every single day. Read more: https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2018/10/08/americans-share-netflix-hulu-streaming/

We’ll soon find out whether Brett Kavanaugh likes “Feud” as much as he likes beer and boofing. Olivia de Havilland, whose displeasure with the way she was depicted in “Bette and Joan” is evident in her year-long legal battle with Ryan Murphy and FX, is officially petitioning the Supreme Court to hear her case. A two-time Oscar winner, the … Continue reading "Olivia de Havilland Is Bringing Her ‘Feud: Bette and Joan’ Lawsuit to the Supreme Court"

The Music Modernization Act, now set to become law, is silent on one big remaining issue for the music industry: U.S. AM/FM radio stations pay nothing to broadcast the sound recordings they play. Read more: https://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/8478505/

The European Parliament has approved new regulations for online streaming services, imposing a quota for home-grown productions on Netflix and co. Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/european-parliament-approves-netflix-content-quota-1148965

Subscription services are one of the few secular trends in the current economy that is not yet reactive to trade wars or interest rates. Subscription services are found in many areas of the economy, but music drives some of the big ones like Spotify, Amazon and especially the razor-and-razorblades plays like Apple. But per-stream royalties … Continue reading "Arithmetic on the Internet: The Ethical Pool Solution to Streaming Royalty Allocation"

LAST MONTH, FAST COMPANY PUBLISHED an uncharacteristically long interview with Spotify’s thirty-five-year-old CEO Daniel Ek—he rarely does this sort of press. In the interview, Ek reflects on the year he attempted to tour with a band (“I realized that music wasn’t the thing I wanted to do six hours every day”), what the Spotify headquarters calls its “bets” board (listing … Continue reading "Unfree Agents"

Victor Miller may be primed to recapture the franchise inside the U.S., although a judge’s opinion remains sealed with the fate of “Jason” murky. In a big decision that will bolster the prospects of authors who hope to recapture rights from producers, Friday the 13th screenwriter Victor Miller has prevailed in a legal battle over the franchise. … Continue reading "‘Friday the 13th’ Screenwriter Wins Rights Battle Against Producer"

Led Zeppelin face a new trial over claims the band stole a guitar riff for their 1971 song, Stairway to Heaven. A California appeals court overruled a 2016 case that said the band did not steal the opening of their hit from Taurus by the band Spirit. The court cited a series of errors by … Continue reading "Led Zeppelin to face new Stairway to Heaven trial"

SAG-AFTRA’s battle with ad agency Bartle Bogle Hegarty ratcheted up Thursday morning as hundreds of actors and their supporters picketed the West Hollywood offices of the global agency, turning Melrose Blvd. into a raucous scene of chants and signs that slowed traffic and elicited honks and waves from passing cars as a giant inflatable rat … Continue reading "SAG-AFTRA Pickets Bartle Bogle Hegarty Ad Agency: “We’re Mad as Hell”"

Earlier this year, Digital Music News touched on an important topic. According to a report published by Audiam, as Spotify’s revenue climbed over the year, artist and label royalty payouts declined. Read more: https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2018/09/27/spotify-declining-royalty-payouts/

Have you ever found yourself clicking– ‘Yes I agree to these terms & conditions’, without actually reading them? Probably yes [everyone does it…even lawyers]. Did that include your registration with Twitter? If so, you may not have realized that you agreed to a licence allowing Twitter (and its partners) to use at will any of the copyright-protected content … Continue reading "Paris tribunal guts Twitter’s T&Cs… including the copyright clause for user-generated content"

America’s Music Modernization Act now just needs the signature of Donald Trump – last seen performing a little stand-up at the UN Comedy Club – in order to become law. The President is expected to provide that signature with little fuss, after which he’ll presumably brag loudly about how he personally made the music industry great again. … Continue reading "Latest draft of MMA approved by House Of Representatives"

In May, the ECS held their annual summit in Brussels, under the title “EU copyright, quo vadis? From the EU copyright package to the challenges of Artificial Intelligence.” The summit covered many of the hot topics on today’s copyright agenda, including the proposed directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market. This post, however, focuses on the afternoon session, … Continue reading "Before the Singularity: Copyright and the Challenges of Artificial Intelligence"

Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) has filed a petition against the North American Concert Promoters Association (NACPA) in federal rate court.  The move comes after both parties failed to reach an agreement. Read more: https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2018/09/25/bmi-v-nacpa-performance-rates/

After years of on-again, off-again talks, the satellite radio company on Monday agreed to buy internet radio streamer Pandora for $3.5 billion. The all-stock deal takes SiriusXM outside the car for the first time and gives it firmer footing to go up against Apple Music and Spotify in the increasingly competitive global battle to become … Continue reading "Sirius XM to buy Pandora for $3.5 billion"

Sony has completed its notification filing to the European Commission over its acquisition of EMI Music Publishing. The regulator now has until 26 October (25 days from the date of submission) to make an initial assessment after which it can either grant approval or begin an in-depth phase two investigation into the proposed merger. If … Continue reading "Sony Notifies European Commission Over EMI Music Publishing Takeover"

Spotify got the entire music business talking last week with the news that it has started offering artists the opportunity to directly distribute their material on the platform – without the requirement for a third-party aggregator or record label. Read more: https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/spotifys-direct-distribution-deals-what-do-the-artists-get/

The Music Modernization Act (“MMA”) has finally passed both the Senate and the House after the herculean efforts of some individuals and organizations who worked tirelessly to negotiate compromises to accommodate all sides. The MMA will finally move the recorded music industry forward in a way that should facilitate more artists and songwriters being able … Continue reading "Entertainment Industry Law Issues"

The surviving members of Led Zeppelin have something new up their sleeve. First spotted by LedZepNews, a trademark filing at the US Patent and Trademark Office has revealed the band aims to create a streaming service.  Dubbed The Led Zeppelin Experience, the service is aimed at “providing non-downloadable prerecorded music online via a global computer network.” Read … Continue reading "Get Ready for a Brand-New Streaming Music Service from Led Zeppelin"

So, Spotify allowing artists to upload music directly into their platform then. That’s certainly got people talking. And while a move in this direction has seemed likely for some time, it is certainly a significant moment. Its impact on record companies and music distributors will likely be nominal at first, but it’s the latest in … Continue reading "Spotify to offer artists direct-upload tools"

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"

On May 11, Netflix released the teen dramedy “The Kissing Booth” just as the school year was wrapping up for teens across the country. Read more: https://techcrunch.com/2018/09/17/startups-are-giving-writers-and-filmmakers-more-ways-to-make-it-in-hollywood/

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?"

The anti-copyright crowd have a few different ways to turn astroturf into deceptively scholarly work product.  One way is to take over otherwise credible brands to insert their own truthiness. Read more: https://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2018/01/spotify-lawyer-leading-scholarly-project-for-creation-of-fake-treatise.html

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"