All about copyright, understanding music licensing, and government regulations.
SoundCloud has signed a licensing deal with pan-European rights hub ICE (the International Copyright Enterprise). This multi-territory arrangement will allow rightsholders across the continent to receive royalties from the audio company’s services, including the SoundCloud Go subscription tier. Continue Reading
YouTube has entered a licensing deal with German collection society GEMA. The two parties had been at an impasse since 2009, meaning that German viewers would often have music videos containing GEMA repertoire blocked. Details of the arrangement have not been disclosed, but they seem to have taken immediate effect. Continue Reading
At RAIN Summit Nashville in September, broadcast law attorney David Oxenford delivered a fast-moving, wide-ranging presentation of webcasting legal issues that are currently important. Click through for full video, and don’t blink! Continue Reading
The legal definition of a stream is currently under a microscope in a lawsuit filed by 19 Recordings. The plaintiff, which represents the winners of reality TV competition American Idol, alleged that its clients have been shortchanged on revenue because of how Sony defines a stream in contracts. Continue Reading
The three major labels have filed a lawsuit against an operation that they claim is a top offender in stream ripping. German company YouTube-mp3.org is charged with piracy by engaging in an increasingly common form of music copying, where music videos are reduced to audio-only MP3 files for personal consumption and sharing. Continue Reading
BMI’s rate court has issued a ruling in favor of the performing rights organization in assessing the Department of Justice’s recent consent decree review. U.S. District Judge Louis Stanton of New York has rejected the 100% licensing provision recently handed down by the DoJ. Continue Reading
Songwriters are suing the Department of Justice over its consent decree decision. Specifically, they are targeting the new “100 percent licensing” rule, which allows a single songwriter to license compositions written by a team in some circumstances. Continue Reading
Pandora made a splash this morning in an announcement of new label agreements that will underpin a new on-demand music service that the company has been promising since acquiring Rdio assets last November. CEO Tim Westergren held an investor call… Continue Reading
Spotify is reportedly engaged in a juggling act over its licensing deals with the major labels. According to The Wall Street Journal, the streaming service is running off short-term extensions of its agreements with all three of the major labels. As Spotify continues to move toward a potential IPO, getting all its ducks in a row for these complex legal questions is a must. Continue Reading
Pennsylvania may be the latest state to levy a tax against streaming and download services. The state is expected to enact a 6% tax on Spotify and other comparable services beginning Aug. 1. Continue Reading
The National Music Publishers Association and the Nashville Songwriters Association International have submitted their proposal for the rates publishers will receive from interactive music services in the 2018-2022 period. The groups’ submission to the Copyright Royalty Board includes a three-part formula for digital licensing rates. Continue Reading
The Electronic Frontier Foundation may return to court for its case against Personal Audio over podcasting patents. Personal Audio has since filed an appeal of the decision, and the EFF is trying to confirm its ability to participate in that appeal. Continue Reading