RightsTech Project

MLC, Digital Services Strike Deal to Fund Music Modernization Act-Mandated Database

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Deal ends standoff over costs
Microsoft brought book burning into the digital age

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Is an ebook a good or a service?
ASCAP Launches Research & Innovation Initiative

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Speaker series, start-up summits planned
Investors in Search of Yield Turn to Music-Royalty Funds

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Falling long-term interest rates spur hunt for alternatives
Microsoft eBooks, iTunes and the Fahrenheit 451 Moment for Digital Content

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Unlike real goods, services can be terminated

Spotify thinks its algorithm can find your next favorite podcast

November 19, 2019By rightstech0 Comments

Spotify is taking its first step toward personalizing podcast recommendations with the official launch of its Your Daily Podcast playlist, which will offer listeners an automated list of podcasts they may want to check out every day. The playlist has been in testing, and the company says it’s seen positive results, which pushed it to roll out the feature to all users in the US, UK, Germany, Sweden, Mexico, Brazil, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Source: Spotify thinks its algorithm can find your next favorite podcast

Secretly Distribution teams with Nordic tech group NoordRights to launch music company Secretly Noord

November 19, 2019By rightstech0 Comments

Independent distribution platform Secretly Distribution has joined forces with Nordic technology group NoordRights to launch Secretly Noord. The new, global music company will provide distribution, marketing and technology services and tools to Nordic labels and artists of all sizes.

Source: Secretly Distribution teams with Nordic tech group NoordRights to launch music company Secretly Noord

American Music Awards Walk Back Statement Over Taylor Swift Songs

November 19, 2019By rightstech0 Comments

In a confusing series of conflicting statements on Monday, Big Machine Records claimed that it had reached an agreement with Dick Clark Productions that would allow Taylor Swift to perform songs from her stint with the label on the American Music Awards this weekend — which was a key point in last week’s public dispute between Swift and her former record company — only to have show producer Dick Clark Productions deny that any such agreement had been reached.

Source: American Music Awards Walk Back Statement Over Taylor Swift Songs

Rules on Copyright Infringement for Inline Linking Developing in the United States and Abroad

November 19, 2019By rightstech0 Comments

As the relationship between copyright and the internet continues to develop and technical distinctions are increasingly cast aside for more practical perspectives, new licensing opportunities are becoming available for content owners and creators.

Source: Rules on Copyright Infringement for Inline Linking Developing in the United States and Abroad

Artificial intelligence won’t kill journalism or save it, but the sooner newsrooms buy in, the better

November 19, 2019By rightstech0 Comments

The robots aren’t taking over journalism jobs, but newsroom should adapt artificial intelligence technologies and accept that the way news is produced and consumed is changing, according to a new report by Polis, the media think-tank at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Source: Artificial intelligence won’t kill journalism or save it, but the sooner newsrooms buy in, the better

Justice Department Moves to End Paramount Antitrust Decrees

November 19, 2019By rightstech0 Comments

Makan Delrahim, the head of the department’s antitrust division, made the announcement Monday in a speech to the American Bar Association fall forum on antitrust. He argued that the decrees are a relic of the past, as the old studio system has long since expired.

Source: Justice Department Moves to End Paramount Antitrust Decrees

‘Royalty-Free’ Music Supplied By YouTube Results in Mass Video Demonetization

November 18, 2019By rightstech0 Comments

A YouTuber who used a royalty-free track supplied by YouTube itself has had all of his videos copyright claimed by companies including SonyATV and Warner Chappell. According to the music outfits, Matt Lownes’ use the use of the track ‘Dreams’ by Joakim Karud means that they are now entitled to all of his revenue.

Source: ‘Royalty-Free’ Music Supplied By YouTube Results in Mass Video Demonetization – TorrentFreak

Elizabeth Warren Weighs In on Taylor Swift’s Dispute With Big Machine: ‘It’s Time to Rein In Private Equity Firms’

November 18, 2019By rightstech0 Comments

Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren has joined a number of public figures and celebrities taking to social media to comment on Taylor Swift’s battle with Scott Borchetta, head of Big Machine Label Group, and Scooter Braun, the company’s new owner.

Source: Elizabeth Warren Weighs In on Taylor Swift’s Dispute With Big Machine: ‘It’s Time to Rein In Private Equity Firms’

ImageRights Uses AI to Fight Copyright Infringement

November 18, 2019By rightstech0 Comments

The company recently announced an agreement with cartoon and comics publishing syndicate Andrews McMeel Universal, which will use ImageRights’ search and copyright enforcement services to protect AMU-licensed comics and cartoon materials. AMU publishes and syndicates such comic strips as Peanuts, Garfield, and Calvin and Hobbes.

Source: ImageRights Uses AI to Fight Copyright Infringement

Broadcasters, Streaming Services Want a Working Music Rights Database

November 18, 2019By rightstech0 Comments

Since the passage of the Music Modernization Act (MMA) into law in 2018, publishers and streaming services have focused on the creation of a functional mechanical rights licensing body. In formal comments to the Copyright Office, the National Association of Broadcasters, DiMA, and dozens of other organizations are demanding the creation of a far more comprehensive music rights database.

Source: Broadcasters, Streaming Services Want a Working Music Rights Database