French Video games development firm Ubisoft is reported to be exploring ways of integrating blockchain technology into its games, in a bid to gain an edge on competitors. The plans will reportedly see Ubisoft write game assets to a blockchain, which can then be made available for purchase, along similar lines as the business model behind the hugely successful Fortnite franchise, published by rival Epic Games.
Source: Developer Ubisoft exploring blockchain for gaming: report – CoinGeek
Under the new partnership arrangement, IMRO has become a direct customer of ICE’s Core Licence (see below). Under the terms of the new deal, ICE will provide IMRO with a full suite of licensing and administration services for online usage.
Source: IMRO Partners with ICE to Speed-up Payment of Digital Royalties | Hotpress
There are big opportunities for the music industry in podcasts, but one of the big barriers is licensing, according to a panel in London. “Rights are a disaster,” said broadcaster and writer Miranda Sawyer, who reviews podcasts for the Observer newspaper in the UK.
Source: The challenge for music and podcasts: “Rights are a disaster’
A new company called OmniQ says that compared to 20 years ago, consumers have fewer choices when it comes to movies. Seizing on a petition to the high court, OmniQ urges exploration of the First Sale Doctrine in the digital age.
Source: Supreme Court Urged to Make Old Movies Digitally Available
Music credits database Jaxta announced its launch in open beta. Founded in 2015 by Jacqui Louez Schoorl and Louis Schoorl, Jaxsta is a source of official credit information for artists, producers and other members of the music community, according to a statement.
The National Music Publishers Association annual member survey found that its U.S. publisher members had revenue of $3.3 billion — up 11.8% growth from last year’s $2.957 billion — according to NMPA president and CEO David Israelite.
Source: NMPA Announces 11.8% Member Revenue Growth to $3.3B at Annual Meeting
Streaming video services are, in theory, great competitors to pirate sites and services. However, when you have to sign up for half a dozen subscriptions to watch your favorite movies and shows, something is wrong. New research suggests that this fragmented streaming landscape is keeping piracy relevant.
Source: Fragmented Streaming Landscape Keeps Piracy Relevant, Research Suggests – TorrentFreak
Last Friday, the Copyright Royalty Board filed its ‘Notice of Intent to Audit‘ radio streaming platform TuneIn, with SoundExchange leading the examination. The news comes a month after SoundExchange filed a similar audit intent notice with the board’s judges “for their transmissions terminating in the United States for the year 2018.”
Source: SoundExchange Is Auditing TuneIn Over Statutory License Payments
In response to a New York Times article recounting a 2008 fire described as “the biggest disaster in the history of the music business” in which thousands of Universal Music Group master recordings were destroyed, the company has issued a statement disputing the characterization of the damage it caused to the company’s archives.
Source: Universal Music Disputes Severity of 2008 Fire Cited in New York Times Article
TikTok now has 200 million registered users, with 120 million using the short video app every month. The milestone comes as the company is in talks with major labels and publishers to launch a music streaming service.
Source: TikTok Passes 120M Montlhy Users In India As Label Talks, Streaming Plans Continue