Seattle-based music licensing startup SyncFloor, co-founded by 20 year Microsoft veteran Kirt Debique (pictured) and veteran IP attorney Cestjon McFarland has been accepted as part of Betaworks Audiocamp program. Betaworks is a New York-based startup studio and seed stage venture capital company.
Distribution company Beatroot Music to administer ‘thousands in unpaid royalties’ of former Dart Music
Beatroot Music, a distribution company based in Memphis, has announced that it is administering the unpaid royalties of former Dart Music, which filed for bankruptcy in 2017 with debts totaling $2.57 million. According to Beatroot, agreeing to administer these funds allows the company to fulfill pending royalty payments to hundreds of rightsholders who distributed their works through Dart’s services.
‘Walking Dead’ Profits Trial Finds Fox TV Boss On Hot Seat Over AMC Backend Payouts
Long referenced in the nearly three-year-old suit filed by EPs Robert Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd, David Alpert and others alleging that a skimming of big bucks through low license fees, self-dealing and more creative accounting, former AMC top dogs Marci Wiseman and Charlie Collier were finally under direct scrutiny.
Sofar Sounds Overhauls Artist Payments After Being Fined $460,000
As part of the update, which was announced via Sofar’s website, “the beginnings of a brand new artist dashboard” have been instituted. When complete, this optimized dashboard will enable Sofar musicians to more quickly and easily access booking information and event specifics, in addition to promptly reserving performance slots.
Source: Sofar Sounds Overhauls Artist Payments After Being Fined $460,000
How Blockchain Technology Enhances the Entertainment Industry
One of blockchain’s strengths is its ability to facilitate peer-to-peer microtransactions and immutable contractual arrangements. Blockchain platforms can govern a wide range of creator/funder, creator/fan, and other artistic interactions reliably and transparently without needing substantial oversight or administrative overhead.
Source: How Blockchain Technology Enhances the Entertainment Industry | BTCMANAGER
Primary Wave Acquires 70% Stake in Air Supply’s Royalty Income Stream
The publisher acquired the stake directly from Air Supply members Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock. Under the agreement, Primary Wave will work with the pair to market their catalog while also pitching licensing and sync opportunities, though it does not include publishing administration rights, which remain with Universal Music Publishing Group and Warner Chappell.
Source: Primary Wave Acquires 70% Stake in Air Supply’s Royalty Income Stream
ISP Questions Rightscorp’s Credibility and Objectivity Ahead of Piracy Trial
Texas-based Internet provider Grande Communications wants to address the business practices and financial situation of anti-piracy outfit Rightscorp at its upcoming piracy liability trial. The music companies that sued the ISP for failing to terminate accounts of repeat infringers asked the court to exclude this information. However, Grande says that it is essential to assess the credibility of key witnesses.
Source: ISP Questions Rightscorp’s Credibility and Objectivity Ahead of Piracy Trial – TorrentFreak
Time for a DMCA Overhaul? Congressional Hearings Commence
Lawmakers have noted that much has changed since the DMCA was passed, when the internet was in its infancy. Many of these same lawmakers believe that the time has come for a comprehensive retooling of America’s digital copyright policy. Preliminary hearings began this past week, and suggested changes to DMCA are expected to be drafted and submitted by the end of 2020.
Source: Time for a DMCA Overhaul? Congressional Hearings Commence
Patreon will now give creators cash advances on their subscription money
Patreon has started a program called Patreon Capital, which grants micro-loans to creators. It’s essentially a cash advance: you get money now in exchange for some of your future earnings plus a small premium. It’s different from Patreon’s usual business but it will diversify the company’s revenue, which should make Patreon a more sustainable business.
Source: Patreon will now give creators cash advances on their subscription money
Will Artificial Intelligence Replace Human Musicians?
Emerging music technologies of the recent past have been unable to live up to the threat-level hype. Drum machines, samplers, sequencers, synthesizers — these have been field-levelers, not death knells, opening doors to allow more people to participate in writing, recording, and performing music rather than shutting creators out.
Source: Will Artificial Intelligence Replace Human Musicians?