Copyrights & Legal 25

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DoJ announces consent decree decision: No change, plus a new rule

Posted on June 30, 2016 by Brad Hill

The U.S. Department of Justice has completed its much anticipated two-year review of consent decrees — decades-old laws which govern how ASCAP and BMI are permitted to license music on behalf of songwriters, composers, and publishers. The bottom line: No change, and a blow to the two major performing rights organizations (PROs) which have lobbied for more flexible control of rights management, especially in the streaming era. Continue Reading →

Spotify, iHeartMedia facing playlist patent lawsuit

Posted on June 24, 2016 by Anna Washenko

Spotify and iHeartMedia have been sued on allegations that they are infringing on a patent for sharing and retrieving playlist information online. Post Media Systems is the plaintiff, representing Alan Bartholomew of SoniClear. The central patent is titled “System and Method for Creating and Posting Media Lists for Purposes of Subsequent Playback.” Continue Reading →

Artists’ org pushes European Commission for safe harbor change

Posted on June 22, 2016 by Anna Washenko

The barrage of open letters haranguing YouTube and its purported value gap are coming fast and furious. The International Artist Organization has penned a missive to the European Commission, adding its voice to the calls for changes in how free online services manage use of copyrighted material. Continue Reading →

More industry critiques of DMCA; Taylor Swift and U2 join in

Posted on June 20, 2016 by Anna Washenko

A new open letter is circulating from the music industry attacking YouTube’s use of safe harbors under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. This one is spearheaded by Irving Azoff, and it includes signatures from heavy hitters including Taylor Swift and U2. Continue Reading →

Pandora inks rights administration deal, hires publisher relations exec

Posted on June 8, 2016 by Anna Washenko

Pandora made two announcements this week centered on its interactions with the industry. First, the company has partnered with Music Reports, a rights administration platform. Second, Pandora hired a new Head of Publisher Licensing and Relations. Continue Reading →

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SoundExchange launches appeal of Copyright Royalty Board rates

Posted on June 6, 2016 by Anna Washenko

When the Copyright Royalty Board set new figures for the 2016-2020 time frame, SoundExchange was vocal in its stance that the $.0017 and $0.0023 rates were too low. Now it is preparing to mount an appeal of that decision, filing a statement to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals on May 31. Continue Reading →

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CBS wins ruling that remasters of pre-1972 songs can be played without liability

Posted on June 2, 2016 by Anna Washenko

A district court has ruled that remastered songs are not necessarily subject to the same copyright laws as the originals. This development could have a big impact on the ongoing wave of litigation centered on music recorded prior to the adoption of federal copyright laws in 1972. Continue Reading →

Spotify to get mixes via Dubset deal

Posted on May 26, 2016 by Anna Washenko

Spotify has signed a deal with Dubset Media Holdings that will bring more mixes onto the streaming platform. Dubset’s MixBank technology can be used to identify copyrighted music in a user-generated song, which means the appropriate labels and publishers can clear the samples used in a mix. Continue Reading →

BPI renews calls for safe harbor change to prevent “strip-mining” music

Posted on May 20, 2016 by Anna Washenko

The British Phonographic Industry is no stranger to the siege against YouTube, but it has launched another volley against the video platform. In its Music Market 2016 report, the BPI highlighted the revenue disparities delivered by subscription streaming and album sales, and by ad-supported freemium services. Continue Reading →

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In the new era of small webcasting, StreamLicensing builds tech to survive

Posted on May 20, 2016 by Brad Hill

Webcaster host StreamLicensing runs a business model that pays label royalties on behalf of its member stations, funding the business with advertising target to combined audiences. But when that royalty cost dramatically escalated for U.S. webcasting in January, owner Marvin Glass sold to Stardome Media Group and warned the new owners that success would be an uphill climb. We spoke with a Stardome exec about the way forward. Continue Reading →

Spotify nabs former UMG exec as its global licensing head

Posted on May 17, 2016 by Anna Washenko

Spotify has hired Francis Keeling as its new vice president, global head of licensing, effective June 1. Keeling joins the streaming service after a 14-year tenure at Universal Music Group. “Francis is one of the very best in the business,” said Stefan Blom, Spotify’s chief content officer. Continue Reading →

ASCAP settles Dept. of Justice inquiry, pays $1.75 million, admits nothing

Posted on May 17, 2016 by Brad Hill

ASCAP, one of the major performing rights organizations (PROs) representing songwriters, publishers, and composers, has reached the end of an investigation by the Department of Justice, settling matters for $1.75-million, while admitting no wrongdoing. It traces back to the Pandora rate-setting case. Continue Reading →