Quick Hits: Spotify adds iOS credits. A history lesson by infographic.
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: Spotify adds songwriter and producer credits on iOS. Audio Recording Through the Ages. Continue Reading
songwriters
UK songwriters’ group lobbies for a share of Facebook, Spotify revenue
Songwriters and composers in the UK are making a push for music publishers to include them in their recent licensing negotiations. Ahead of Spotify’s direct listening date, the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers & Authors is calling on publishers to commit to sharing proceeds from their sales of stock in the streaming music company. Continue Reading
Spotify launches songwriter spotlight program, still avoiding exclusives
Last week, Spotify introduced an initiative called Secret Genius designed to shine a spotlight on the importance of songwriters and producers in an artist’s success. This venture will include awards, songwriting camps, curated playlists, and podcasts. Continue Reading
NMPA gets 4,000 to sign songwriter petition to CRB
The National Music Publishers Association is circulating a petition among songwriters to gather support for its case with the Copyright Royalty Board. The CRB will decide on a royalty rate for interactive music streams over the 2018-2022 period over the course of this year, hearing proposals from all sides of the music industry. Continue Reading
Copyright Royalty Board: Songwriter hearing for interactive stream rates begins
This week, songwriters, composers, and publishers will begin lobbying the Copyright Royalty Board for larger royalty fees from streaming services. The hearing for songwriters and their professional organizations is set to start today. The CRB will be reviewing proposals from several parties as it works to determine the royalty rates paid for interactive streams over the 2018-2022 period. Continue Reading
Songwriters sue Justice Department over consent decree changes
Songwriters are suing the Department of Justice over its consent decree decision. Specifically, they are targeting the new “100 percent licensing” rule, which allows a single songwriter to license compositions written by a team in some circumstances. Continue Reading
Spotify inks NMPA agreement for songwriter royalty plans
The National Music Publishers Association has signed an agreement with Spotify centered on songwriting royalties. The arrangement allows publishers to claim and receive royalties for certain compositions on the streaming platform where ownership details were not previously known. It also establishes a compensation fund and a path for finding rights holders who should receive royalties. Continue Reading
Songwriters’ guilds pen open letter decrying publishers’ attempts at ASCAP/BMI split
Several publishers have been vocal about their interest in splitting from the performing rights organizations ASCAP and BMI. Their goal is to exert more control over digital rights management, pushing for increased royalty rates from online streaming services for their songwriters. However, a group of professional organizations and guilds centered on songwriting has released an open letter to publishers asking them to reconsider. Continue Reading
BMI reports record revenue as streaming’s share grows
The New York Times writes today that one area of a troubled music industry that’s seen consistent revenue growth, and may be poised for more, is songwriter and publisher royalties, collected by groups like BMI and ASCAP. Webcasters and radio… Continue Reading