All about copyright, understanding music licensing, and government regulations.
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
The major labels have agreed to a new code in France that will enforce more transparency in the online music business. It includes more clarity over how the advances from platforms like YouTube are shared and what the majors’ equity stakes are in digital music services. Continue Reading
Some days it seems like SoundCloud just can’t catch a break. Last month, we reported on rumors that SoundCloud and Universal Music Group might at long last be nearing a deal. In the latest twist of the will-they-won’t-they saga, Universal appears to have gotten skittish. Continue Reading
The U.S. Copyright Registrar issued a decision to the Copyright Royalty Board, ruling that Pandora’s use of its licensing deal with indie group Merlin was admissable evidence. It’s important because the Merlin deal is a lynchpin in Pandora’s argument for lower royalty rates starting in 2016. Continue Reading
Pandora successfully acquired KXMZ radio station in South Dakota in May, but that doesn’t mean the ownership stayed on secure footing. ASCAP challenged two elements in Pandora’s action to buy the station shortly after the purchase closed, but the FCC today denied them both. Continue Reading
The city of Chicago ruffled some feathers earlier this year with the announcement of an amusement tax levied against online entertainment services. The tax would cover video and audio platforms including Netflix, Amazon Prime, Spotify, Hulu, and Xbox Live. However, the city has hit a snag in getting that tax off the ground. The Liberty Justice Center has filed a lawsuit in Illinois circuit court to challenge several aspects of the proposed tax. Continue Reading
ABS Entertainment has embarked on a legal crusade to collect royalties for its pre-1972 recordings. ABS filed suits against broadcast radio groups in California earlier in the summer, and now it has put two digital platforms in the crosshairs as well. RAIN News received a copy of a lawsuit filed earlier this week by the pair against Sirius XM and Pandora. Continue Reading