Copyrights & Legal

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Text finalized for EU Copyright Directive, potentially placing strict new rules on YouTube and more

Posted on February 15, 2019 by Anna Washenko

The text of the EU Copyright Directive has been finalized, meaning the stage is set for a sweeping legal update that could have unintended consequences for online communication in the bloc. With the final language decided, new revisions cannot be made and the legislation will go to the European Parliament’s legal affairs committee ahead of a final vote, which is expected to occur in March or April. Continue Reading →

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Changing interpretations of Article 13 erode industry support for EU’s incendiary Copyright Directive

Posted on February 8, 2019 by Anna Washenko

Europe’s efforts for copyright law overhaul were controversial when they first progressed through Parliament, and the Copyright Directive measures have only become more contentious over time. Article 13 in particular could have far-reaching implications for not just copyright law, but the foundations of how people communicate and create on the Internet. Continue Reading →

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NMPA and partners submit their bid for the upcoming Mechanical Licensing Collective

Posted on February 4, 2019 by Anna Washenko

The Music Modernization Act is open to submissions for the management of the Mechanical Licensing Collective through March 21. A group comprised of the National Music Publishers’ Association, the Nashville Songwriters Association International, and the Songwriters of North America have made their bid for the leadership of the MLC. Continue Reading →

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Rumblefish and 7digital expand their partnership

Posted on January 25, 2019 by Anna Washenko

Rumblefish and 7digital have broadened their existing relationship. Rights administration service Rumblefish is a division of the Harry Fox Agency. Under the new deal with B2B music specialist 7digital, Rumblefish will leverage its rights management solution to speed the launch of services and streamline administration for music distribution models powered by 7digital. Continue Reading →

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European Copyright Directive controversy deepens as lawmakers and rightsholders dig in

Posted on January 24, 2019 by Anna Washenko

The European Copyright Directive passed one big hurdle in the fall, but the fate of the contentious legislative overhaul is now in question. Two components of the legal package have raised debate: Article 11, which lets publishers charge a fee when online platforms like Google or Facebook show snippets of their articles, and Article 13, which makes platforms such as YouTube liable for user-generated content that infringes copyright. Continue Reading →

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MIDiA Research explores YouTube, the value of advertisements, and the risk of EU’s Article 13

Posted on January 4, 2019 by Anna Washenko

MIDiA Research has a new report examining YouTube’s impact on the international streaming market. Its assessment shares statistics from the video platform in Q3 2018 and shares insights as to how the recent legislation passed in Europe could have unintended effects on the music industry as a whole. Continue Reading →

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Application process begins for the Music Modernization Act’s Mechanical Licensing Collective

Posted on December 26, 2018 by Anna Washenko

The passage of the Music Modernization Act in October was hailed as a watershed moment for the industry, a big step to bring the law in line with the latest trends in how and where music consumption happens. Work has now begun to enact one of the Act’s critical measures. Continue Reading →

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Spotify settles mechanical licensing suit from Wixen

Posted on December 20, 2018 by Anna Washenko

Spotify has reached a settlement with Wixen. The independent publisher filed a $1.6 billion lawsuit against the streaming service at the start of the year on claims that Spotify had hosted tens of thousands of compositions from Wixen without the correct mechanical licenses. Continue Reading →

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LyricFind inks blanket licensing deal in Africa

Posted on December 14, 2018 by Anna Washenko

LyricFind has entered a deal with South African mechanical rights organization Composers, Authors and Publishers Association (or CAPASSO). The blanket deal will see songs fully licensed and monetized by LyricFind’s lyric licensing platform across 38 countries in Africa. Continue Reading →

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David Oxenford: Podcaster Sued for Copyright Infringement for Using Music without Permission

Posted on November 30, 2018 by David Oxenford

by David Oxenford

Major labels and publishers are quick to call in the copyright lawyers, and this time their target was a podcast that they claimed was illegally using music in episodes. David Oxenford explains the distinctions between different performance licenses and what podcasters should do to stay on the right side of copyright law. Continue Reading →

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Mixcloud and Merlin enter multiyear licensing deal

Posted on November 27, 2018 by Anna Washenko

Streaming platform Mixcloud has signed a multiyear direct licensing network with Merlin Network, an independent label group and music rights agency. The deal will ensure that recording artists represented by Merlin will receive royalties when their music is played on the Mixcloud streaming service and on its upcoming subscription service. Continue Reading →

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Report: YouTube paid the music industry $1.8 billion in ad revenue in the past year

Posted on November 8, 2018 by Anna Washenko

YouTube paid more than $1.8 billion in ad revenue to rightsholders in the music industry from October 2017 to September 2018. According to the How Google Fights Piracy report, that figure brings YouTube’s total music industry payments to more than $6 billion in ad revenues. Continue Reading →