Pandora just saved about $21-million. The recently concluded ASCAP vs. Pandora trial could be framed as a draw, with the disputed royalty rate to publishers maintained. But crunching the arithmetic shows the court decision comes much closer to Pandora’s desired outcome than ASCAP’s, and provides a view of how much money Pandora saved — or ASCAP lost, depending on the viewpoint. Continue Reading
The ASCAP vs. Pandora rate-setting trial, brought before a federal judge to determine how much Pandora must pay music publishers and composers to play recordings of their music, has ended in a preservation of Pandora’s existing rate. While Pandora hoped to lower that rate by a small amount, ASCAP hoped to raise payments by up to 62% Continue Reading
Audiam, a seven-month-old startup, announced closing a $2-million investment round. Notably, the coalition of investors comprises musicians, small-label owners, and producers. The company solves a unique problem, by identifying unauthorized use of recorded music on YouTube, and generating royalties for rights-holders. Continue Reading
According to a first-hand document provided by a RAIN source, federal judge Denise Cote seemed to agree with Pandora’s argument that it be treated as “radio” in closing arguments of a royalty case. Pandora could pay less to publishers as a result. Details. Continue Reading
Last year SoundExchange paid out $590-million to labels and performers, an all-time high. Over 10 years, it has distributed about $2-billion. 2013 was SoundExchange’s 10-year anniversary. SoundExchange collects royalties from Internet, satellite, and cable radio. Continue Reading
They did it. Two-hundred Australian commercial radio stations shut down their online streams in a dispute with record labels over additional license fees. The government refuses to intervene. The radio station lobbying group tries to whip up public support. Continue Reading
Pandora’s right to include certain music recordings in its catalog has been complicated recently by an unfavorable court case, requiring fast action and a type of negotiating Pandora has not favored in the past. Happy result for all parties. Continue Reading
The following first appeared as a Billboard.biz Guest Post I wrote as founder/CEO of AccuRadio and a member of the Small Webcaster Alliance. It appeared on Tuesday, the eve of yesterday’s subcommittee hearing.
As an Internet radio broadcaster and member of the Small Webcaster Alliance, I’ve been involved in the issue of copyright royalty rates for Internet radio for many years. And I’ve seen vividly that the current royalty rate system threatens to strangle the life out of an industry that is providing both choices for consumers and opportunities for musicians. Continue Reading
It might seem ironic that Swedish musicians are unhappy with their participation in Swedish-born Spotify. But it makes sense that if any national group of artists would take action related to Spotify payouts, it would be in Sweden, where streaming… Continue Reading
Tunecore, one of several intermediaries that provide a gateway to digital distribution for independent musicians, announced on its blog that 330-million dollars has been paid out to musician clients during the company’s seven-year history. Tunecore represents an interesting and significant… Continue Reading
Leading webcaster (and public company) Pandora plans to sell 10 million more shares of stock as a “follow on” offering, to raise $279 million for “general corporate purposes.” The company’s biggest investor shareholder, Crosslink Capital, also plans to sell 4… Continue Reading
Entrepreneur Jeff Yasuda — of Blip.fm and “people-powered” online radio Fuzz fame — has launched a new company with the aim of taking “all the complication out of music licensing” for webcasters, online retailers, and more. Feed.fm (we last reported… Continue Reading