Copyrights & Legal 31

1

Global Interactive Media filing lawsuits over broadcast display patents

Posted on November 2, 2015 by Anna Washenko

Global Interactive Media has gone on a tear of lawsuits on charges that several broadcasting companies have violated its patents. That intellectual property covers an “apparatus and method to generate and access broadcast information.” At this stage, it seems possible that the Belize-based company is looking to make money by pushing litigation over patents of questionable validity. But if the patent claims are legitimate, it could mean one more set of royalty payments for many types of audio companies. Continue Reading →

AMRA enters nearly-global deal for YouTube music royalties

Posted on October 27, 2015 by Anna Washenko

YouTube has entered an international deal with AMRA, the U.S.-based collecting society, to collect music royalties in more than 100 markets. The deal could streamline the process of collecting royalties for writers represented by AMRA and its parent company, Kobalt. Continue Reading →

CISAC’s 2014 data shows small collective licensing increases

Posted on October 27, 2015 by Anna Washenko

CISAC has released data about the global licensing figures it has received through collective licensing in 2014. The group represents creative rights across multiple disciplines including music. Its membership includes performing rights organizations such as ASCAP and BMI. Continue Reading →

Pandora settles with the RIAA for use of pre-1972 music

Posted on October 22, 2015 by Brad Hill

As rumored, Pandora has settled with the RIAA for use of pre-1972 music through this year and next. Settlement cost is $90-million. This development comes a few months after Sirius XM, likewise a defendant in cases focusing on performance use of oldies, settled with major labels and other litigants through 2017, at a coast of $210-million. Continue Reading →

Pandora to appeal BMI rate ruling

Posted on October 21, 2015 by Anna Washenko

Pandora has filed an appeal against the decision of Judge Louis L. Stanton in the rate-setting case with BMI. The appeal argues that the original trial was “a case study in how a district court should not handle a rate court case.” Continue Reading →

Spotify payment dispute underlines the “black box” of music royalties

Posted on October 21, 2015 by RAIN News Staff

Buzz, accusations, and legal jargon are swirling around the echosphere today in the wake of Spotify’s removal of the Victory Records song catalog from its library. Music licensing and royalty payouts in interactive streaming services are complex, sometimes compared to an impenetrable black box. Is there a solution? Continue Reading →

ABS’ pre-1972 suit against iHeart is back on (for now?)

Posted on October 21, 2015 by Anna Washenko

Will they or won’t they? After filing a suit against iHeartMedia last week in Illinois only to dismiss it three days later, ABS Entertainment has reopened the case. The company, which represents Arthur and Barbara Sheridan, is seeking royalties for songs recorded prior to 1972. Continue Reading →

1

ABS sues iHeartMedia for pre-1972 royalties, then changes mind

Posted on October 20, 2015 by Anna Washenko

Late last week, Arthur and Barbara Sheridan’s ABS Entertainment company launched a new legal foray for copyright royalty charges against iHeartMedia in Illinois. However, three days after filing the suit, ABS filed to dismiss the charges. Continue Reading →

Aurous hit with temporary restraining order after two days

Posted on October 16, 2015 by Anna Washenko

We covered the alpha launch of Aurous, a streaming service that has already attracted the ire of music labels on charges that it infringes on their copyrights. Just days after its debut, the site has been issued an order by a U.S. District Court judge to temporarily suspend distribution. Continue Reading →

Rumor Fact(ory): Pandora may be near pre-1972 copyright settlement

Posted on October 15, 2015 by Anna Washenko

The legal battles over royalties for songs recorded prior to 1972 have been an ongoing headache for labels and streaming services alike. Pandora has been the subject of a couple legal forays in this regard, including one lawsuit filed by recording companies in New York State Supreme Court. The New York Post has reported that Pandora may be on the brink of a settlement to end that case. Continue Reading →

UK managers’ group issues report arguing for more transparency in digital royalties

Posted on October 13, 2015 by Anna Washenko

The Music Managers Forum released a new report titled “Dissecting the Digital Dollar” that examines the industry’s income from digital sources. The UK group used the report as a chance to push for more transparency in the business of online music. It posed seven key issues for the industry to address and closed with a survey of managers. Continue Reading →

CRB approves the NPR/SoundExchange 2016-2020 rate deal

Posted on October 6, 2015 by Anna Washenko

SoundExchange and the public radio networks have received approval from the Copyright Royalty Board for their royalty settlement. CRB still needs to approve the part of the settlement that dubs the public radio sector a collective entity, a decision which is not expected until after it has settled rates for all webcasters. Continue Reading →