March, 2019

LBRY is a decentralized protocol that is designed to allow people to share information with each other, for free or for a price. More specifically, LBRY is part YouTube competitor, part Amazon e-book seller competitor, and part iTunes music sales competitor. The platform allows individuals to upload content and optionally charge a price to unlock it that is paid in cryptocurrency. It also allows for content creators to release material for free and accept tips.

Source: LBRY CEO Talks YouTube Censorship, Online Free Speech & Blockchain

SoundExchange pays out nearly $1 billion to musicians each year, but the lack of attention around it highlights the music industry’s overall disorganization. SoundExchange collects money from 3,100 online outlets — Pandora and SiriusXM are two of the biggest — and has no sign-up fee. So why does it need to chase artists down to give them their money?

Source: The $1 Billion Waiting For Artists Who Know Where to Look

Over the past few years technologies have radically altered the way we create, promote, buy and sell art. Fifteen years ago we were sending images and catalogues via FedEx, now we deal art in jpg format via WhatsApp.

Source: The Future Role of Galleries – Opinion by Frédéric de Senarclens

Many newspaper publishers — after suffering for a decade from job losses, shrinking ad dollars and circulation declines — are so far shunning Apple’s new “Netflix for news” subscription. For $10 a month, Apple News Plus offers articles from more than 300 magazines, but only three newspapers.

Source: Newspapers largely shun Apple’s news subscription service

For months, YouTube creators have been trying to warn viewers about the ramifications of Europe’s new copyright directive. And after an EU vote approved the directive, one of the most vocal activists leading a charge against the directive, Dr. Grandayy, says it’s time for YouTubers to get serious about copyright activism.

Source: YouTube creators are still trying to fight back against European copyright vote

Caught between freewheeling Silicon Valley’s surveillance capitalism and techno-authoritarian China – and largely without tech behemoths of its own — the 28-member economic giant is trying to shape the future of technology through law.

Source: EUROPE WRESTLES BIG TECH TO THE MAT

The legislation was approved by the EU Parliament yesterday, with 348 MEPs voting in favor and 274 against. But a last-minute amendment that would have let MEPs take a further vote on the inclusion of Articles 11 and 13 — the most criticized parts of the law, known as the “link tax” and “upload filter,” respectively — was rejected by just five votes.

Source: Ten European lawmakers say they voted against pivotal copyright amendment by accident

Record labels, publishers and creators welcomed unprecedented legislation that will change how online platforms like YouTube operate in Europe — and perhaps worldwide — after the European Parliament voted 348-274 to approve an updated version of the European Union (EU) Copyright Directive.

Source: What’s Next for Europe’s New Copyright Reforms?

More than 50 leading record labels and publishers have filed a lawsuit against Charter Communications, Inc. for contributing and profiting off its internet subscribers’ copyright infringement. The lawsuit, filed Friday in Colorado, accuses internet service provider Charter of deliberately refusing to “take reasonable measures to curb customers from using its Internet services to infringe on others’ copyrights.”

Source: Dozens of Music Companies File Copyright Suit Against Charter Communications

The Wall Street Journal signed on as a launch partner for Apple’s $9.99-a-month news service, marking a shift in strategy meant to draw in new readers and paying subscribers without undercutting the publication’s core business. Apple unveiled the news app, Apple News+, at an event Monday. It will provide access to articles from more than 300 magazines including Vogue, GQ and Sports Illustrated.

Source: Wall Street Journal’s Partnership With Apple Marks Shift in Strategy