The question raised in regard to “machine learning” is whether the computer scientist who wishes to feed a corpus of books—say the anthology of American literature—into an AI should be required to obtain licenses for the works still under copyright.  Thus, the first analysis is whether the act of “copying” can be said to occur in this circumstance any more than it would be for the human reader who consumes the same body of literature.

Source: Is “Machine Learning” Copying or Reading? – The Illusion of More

In the near future, people can wear a red suit of armor and fly away, or turn green and smash buildings. This may look like a science fiction movie. But the world of “mixed reality” ― the merging of real and virtual worlds ― will soon emerge in entertainment, all because of blockchain, said Alexander Shulgin, CEO of Familia Group based in Moscow, Russia.

Source: ‘Blockchain to transform entertainment’

The recent and controversial vote to adopt the proposed Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market could be read as another act in a tale of European lawmakers holding American web giants to account. But when it comes to Article 13 [now 17] which concerns the liability of internet platforms, the end result resembles a Wild West scenario where the most powerful are likely to thrive and where the rights of citizens will be less protected.

Source: The EU copyright directive creates new legal uncertainties

The American Mechanical Licensing Collective appears to be piggybacking on the April 10 Town Hall to be hosted by the National Music Publishers Assn. and the Nashville Songwriters Association International in Nashville in response to the digital services appealing the Copyright Royalty Board publishing rates determination.

Source: American Mechanical Licensing Collective to Host Nashville Event Regarding Mechanical Licensing Collective

On March 26, after two years of charged debate, the European Parliament passed the contentious new Copyright Directive — legislation aimed at updating the law for the internet age. While some see new copyright legislation as a first step toward redistributing power to content creators, others believe the proposals may make YouTube and Facebook even stronger.

Source: As Europe Goes to War With Tech Giants, Will Artists Benefit?

With content being shared all over the web, it’s easy to lose track of who should get the royalties for that piece of content and who is its original creator. But what if the whole industry of creators could manage content rights and copyright themselves? With a blockchain-based system, it might be possible, and platforms like ContentsDeal are trying to do just that.

Source: ContentsDeal project is putting copyright on the blockchain

Previewing the focus of this year’s MipTV, a prominent cross-section of producers, distributors, and tech leaders met in Paris to discuss the future of digital distribution as part of UniFrance’s Rendez-vous with French Cinema this past January. The subject of Blockchain took center stage, as the various professionals navigated the crypto-technology’s effects on their respective fields.

Source: Blockchain Beguiles the European Industry Ahead of MipTV

The European Commission (EC) has been looking into how PC video games are bought and sold within EU Member States, and it doesn’t like what it’s seen. Issuing an official statement of objections today, directed at Valve, whose Steam online portal is the biggest store for PC games in the world, and five game publishers the Commission takes the view that they’ve all engaged in antitrust violations by putting geographic restrictions on the games they sell.

Source: European Commission demands Valve stop geo-blocking games inside the EU

The app just launched an initiative to scout music talents in Japan and South Korea after a similar program kicked off in China. Called Spotlight, the audition will take place digitally via TikTok. Artists submit their work to the app, and winners will eventually get introduced to the company’s 21 label partners and publishers, which could lead to recording opportunities. In turn, TikTok users can pick from the fresh batch of music to spice up their work.

Source: TikTok’s next ambitious goal is to discover future music stars

Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal and other digital outlets dominate the music business these days. What may be downright shocking for some of these older recording artists is finding out there might be not be any contractual entitlement to streaming royalties whatsoever. Or at least that’s the position now being taken by Warner Bros. Records in an ongoing lawsuit.

Source: For Some Rock Pioneers, Warner Music Treats Streaming Royalties as Charity