Copyrights & Legal 35

Taylor Swift gets Apple Music to reverse policy on free trial royalty payments

Posted on June 22, 2015 by Anna Washenko

We recently reported that Taylor Swift’s latest album would not be available through Apple Music. Yesterday, Swift published a Tumblr post explaining why. She questioned Apple’s decision to not pay any royalties to artists, songwriters, or producers for song plays during listeners’ three-month free trials. “These are the echoed sentiments of every artist, writer and producer in my social circles who are afraid to speak up publicly because we admire and respect Apple so much,” she said. Continue Reading →

Digitally Imported launches on-demand listening for an integrated user experience

Posted on June 16, 2015 by Brad Hill

In the second step of a three-point plan to reinvent its service and re-imagine what an electronica listening platform can be, Digitally Imported (DI.fm) today launched on-demand listening. We spoke to founder and CEO Ari Shohat. q Continue Reading →

UMG denies colluding with Apple and labels to squeeze out freemium

Posted on June 10, 2015 by Anna Washenko

Attorneys from Universal Music Group have responded to an investigation that the label colluded with other leading music companies to push out free, ad-supported tiers from streaming services. In a letter responding to a subpoena, UMG denied having any agreements with Sony Music, Warner Music Group, or Apple to “impede the availability of third-party free or ad-supported music streaming services.” Continue Reading →

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Pandora receives final FCC clearance to acquire radio station

Posted on June 3, 2015 by Brad Hill

Pandora is now legally free to acquire KXMZ, a South Dakota radio station. the FCC has ruled against a petition to deny Pandora’s application, saying that ASCAP failed to establish its case. Continue Reading →

SoundCloud’s proposed contract with publishers’ group leaked

Posted on June 2, 2015 by Anna Washenko

Paul Resnikoff of Digital Music News has uploaded a copy of the agreement SoundCloud is allegedly negotiating with the National Music Publishers Association. The two-year deal offers advances of about $350,000 to the participating publishers. In exchange, SoundCloud would get a license allowing its creator partners to monetize and promote their uploads. Continue Reading →

CRB trial proceeding extended beyond original end dates

Posted on June 1, 2015 by Brad Hill

The Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) rate-setting process, currently in the trial phase, did not conclude on Friday as originally scheduled. Instead, broadcast law attorney David Oxenford tols RAIN News, the proceeding will continue for three days this week. Click through for the new schedule. Continue Reading →

Sirius XM now facing class action over pre-1972 royalties in California

Posted on May 28, 2015 by Anna Washenko

U.S. District Judge Philip Gutierrez has approved class action status for Flo & Eddie’s lawsuit against Sirius XM. The new class action certification means that other artists whose music was recorded before the advent of federal copyright law can join the lawsuit to seek damages. Sirius XM had argued that it would be difficult to calculate damages for the different artists joining the suit, but was unable to convince the judge. Continue Reading →

Leaked Sony contract basis of Music Managers open letter

Posted on May 22, 2015 by Anna Washenko

Yesterday, we briefly reported on the contract between Sony and Spotify that was leaked online earlier in the week. We learned today that the International Music Managers Forum used the contract lead as a catalyst for an open letter to the European Commission in an effort to demand more transparency in digital deals. Continue Reading →

Sony artist skewers company over SoundCloud takedown

Posted on May 21, 2015 by Brad Hill

Electronica producer Madeon has been using Twitter this week to jab a sharp stick into his label’s side, over a reported Soundcloud takedown action. The tweet protest illustrates how rights-holder decisions about streaming access to music can conflict with artist values, especially in the EDM category. Continue Reading →

CEO of UK copyright agency calls for changes to improve streaming for songwriters

Posted on May 20, 2015 by Anna Washenko

Robert Ashcroft, CEO of PRS for Music, spoke about the concerns for UK publishers and songwriters at the performing rights organization’s annual general meeting. His critiques were focused on online platforms that thrive on user-generated content, such as YouTube and SoundCloud. Ashcroft said those services have been unfairly benefiting from safe harbor laws. Continue Reading →

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BMI wins court ruling vs. Pandora in royalty rate lawsuit

Posted on May 15, 2015 by Brad Hill

In a Manhattan U.S. District Court, a ruling in the BMI vs. Pandora royalty rate case went in BMI’s direction late yesterday, raising the rate at which Pandora must pay for BMI-represented music by 43%. Continue Reading →

Rdio announces $3.99 plan, driving a wedge between freemium and full on-demand

Posted on May 14, 2015 by RAIN News Staff

Rdio has added a new subscription tier focused on mobile listening to its available offerings. Rdio Select offers elements of both lean-back and on-demand listening on mobile devices for $3.99 a month. It is an innovative, carefully considered competitive gambit. Continue Reading →