Warner Music Group has joined a strategic funding round for San Francisco-based Authentic Artists, a music platform that claims to power “metaverse-native virtual artists, digital collectibles and interactive music experiences”. Authentic Artists says that its music platform uses “cutting edge deep learning, game engine and blockchain technologies”.
Universal Music Group just launched a ‘secret’ sample service… for major label artists only
Universal Music Group, via its Universal Music Production Music division, has quietly launched a new sample service called Usample. According to the Usample website, the service offers a catalog of around 7,000 “rare” tracks, that, Universal says, come “from the depths of the [UMG] archive, digitised for the first time since the original pressings”.
Source: Universal Music Group just launched a ‘secret’ sample service… for major label artists only 🤫
Meta, Microsoft and Other Tech Giants Say They Want an Open Metaverse—Should We Believe Them?
On Tuesday, 35 technology companies—among them Meta (formerly known as Facebook), Microsoft, Alibaba, and Sony—announced their founding membership in an organization calling itself the Metaverse Standards Forum. The Forum’s stated goal: to foster coordination and cooperation among the hundreds of companies currently jockeying to create (or depending who you ask, dominate) the still-nascent metaverse.
Should You Copyright Your NFTs?
Depending on the particular NFT collection, there may be restrictions on the usage of intellectual property (IP) on the holder’s side, and so many have started looking into NFTs that give buyers the ability to leverage and commercialize their NFTs’ artwork. And that has led to an explosion of projects that give extensive or complete freedom for holders.
Source: Should You Copyright Your NFTs?
Ted Sarandos Explains Why Netflix Will Add New Ad-Supported Tier to Streaming Service
Netflix’s Co-CEO Ted Sarandos, speaking at the Cannes Lions advertising festival on Thursday, confirmed that the future of the streaming giant will include ads, explaining the about face. “We adding an ad tier; we’re not adding ads to Netflix as you know it today,” Sarandos said Thursday, speaking on the Cannes Lions stage with Sway podcast host Kara Swisher. “We’re adding an ad tier for folks who say, ‘Hey, I want a lower price and I’ll watch ads.’”
Source: Ted Sarandos Explains Why Netflix Will Add New Ad-Supported Tier to Streaming Service
Music industry launches ‘large-scale action’ against infringing music services in Brazil
In a move supported by global recorded music body IFPI and its Brazilian national group, Pro-Música Brasil, Brazilian law enforcement are coordinating with US and UK authorities on what the IFPI calls a “substantial series of actions” as part of the fourth wave of ‘Operation 404’, an initiative to tackle infringing services online.
Source: Music industry launches ‘large-scale action’ against infringing music services in Brazil
France accepts Google’s truce with publishers
As part of Tuesday’s announcement, Google promised to negotiate “in good faith” with media organizations over payments; to share information with them to evaluate those payments; and to submit itself to arbitration if either side disagrees with how the remuneration mechanism operates. Now, both sides must hammer out the thorny details over these proposed agreements after years of bitter wrangling over whether media organizations should even receive payments from tech giants.
Canada to Compel YouTube, TikTok and Streamers to Boost Domestic Content
Canada approved legislation that targets what video- and audio-sharing platforms can broadcast to a Canadian audience, as the country follows in Europe’s footsteps in imposing a heftier regulatory burden on the digital sector. As contemplated under the new measures, users who search for music, television programming, films or do-it-yourself video shorts would get results incorporating a certain quota of Canadian-made content.
Source: Canada to Compel YouTube, TikTok and Streamers to Boost Domestic Content
Netflix Has a Message for Hollywood: We’re Still Spending Money
In the wake of a massive stock slide triggered by a subscriber dip during the first quarter, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, head of global film Scott Stuber and head of global television Bela Bajaria have launched a charm offensive, stressing to top creators and agents that they will continue to spend aggressively to make and market movies and shows.
Source: Netflix Has a Message for Hollywood: We’re Still Spending Money
Paris Hilton is One of the First Defendants at the ‘Small’ Copyright Claims Board
The U.S. Copyright Claims Board has been live for a few days and thus far 19 cases have been filed. This doesn’t include any file-sharing piracy claims. Most cases are filed by smaller creators, including an artist who accuses Paris Hilton of repeatedly sharing photos on social media that infringe on her fairy wing design.
Source: Paris Hilton is One of the First Defendants at the ‘Small’ Copyright Claims Board * TorrentFreak