All about copyright, understanding music licensing, and government regulations.
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
The Copyright Royalty Board is still in the throes of its decision-making process of setting webcasting licensing rates for 2016-2020. In the latest development, the CRB has asked the Copyright Office whether it can set different rates for different music suppliers. The query has sent industry leaders into heavy speculation about the intent behind it. Continue Reading
New provisions in the UK’s Consumer Rights Act took effect as of Oct. 1. The revamped law includes some rules governing digital retailers such as the iTunes store. Streaming platforms would also be covered by the rules about quality and customer expectations. Continue Reading
SESAC may have bought out Harry Fox Agency, but it appears to be more invested in the technology than the people. As much as 30% of the staff at the mechanical licensing company will be let go. Continue Reading