February, 2020

Sony Music and The Orchard held a machine-learning hackathon

Music ML 2020 is the second annual hackathon held by Sony Music, The Orchard and Amazon Web Services (AWS) and the first to be expanded out of the US. The Orchard office hosted the New York competition and Sony Music simultaneously hosted in London over the course of three days. The hackathon’s primary purpose is to allow cross-functional teams of industry professionals to create business solutions at the intersection of music and machine-learning.

Source: Sony Music and The Orchard held a machine-learning hackathon

Can AI-driven A&R transform the music business?

In spite of large investments in the industry, artificial Intelligence in music is still underdeveloped, but it does absolutely have the potential to transform A&R. At least, that’s what HITLAB – a company quietly making in-roads in this field – is suggesting. The Montreal-headquartered digital media and artificial intelligence company claims to be ‘revolutionizing the way entertainment content is discovered, produced and consumed’.

Source: Can AI-driven A&R transform the music business?

YouTube Not Bound by First Amendment, Appeals Court Rules

A federal appeals court in California ruled that privately operated internet platforms are free to censor content they don’t like. Though not unexpected, the unanimous decision by the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco marks the most emphatic rejection of the argument advanced in some conservative circles that YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and other giant tech platforms are bound by the First Amendment.

Source: Tech Platforms Aren’t Bound by First Amendment, Appeals Court Rules

Peloton Settles Legal Fight With Music Publishers

Peloton settled a lawsuit filed by music publishers that had sought $300 million in damages over its alleged use of unlicensed songs. Financial terms of the settlement were not disclosed. As part of the agreement, Peloton and the trade association have entered into a “joint collaboration agreement and will work together to further optimize Peloton’s music-licensing systems and processes.”

Source: Peloton Settles Legal Fight With Music Publishers

Smithsonian Releases 2.8 Million Images Into Public Domain

For the first time in its 174-year history, the Smithsonian has released 2.8 million high-resolution two- and three-dimensional images from across its collections onto an open access online platform for patrons to peruse and download free of charge. Featuring data and material from all Smithsonian museums, research centers, libraries, archives and the National Zoo, the new digital depot encourages the public to not just view its contents, but use, reuse and transform them into just about anything they choose.

Source: Smithsonian Releases 2.8 Million Images Into Public Domain

Whitney Houston hologram tour fan reaction: ‘What a mind f–k’

“An Evening With Whitney: The Whitney Houston Hologram Tour” premiered Tuesday night. But judging from fans’ reactions, it’s not right — and it’s definitely not okay. One Twitter commenter recently suggested the tour “reeks like a desperate money grab” and added that “her estate should be ashamed,” while another wondered, “How dare people profit from such nonsense!”

Source: Whitney Houston hologram tour fan reaction: ‘What a mind f–k’

AMW Group Offers Music Label Services for Musicians & Record Labels

AMW Group has worked alongside some of the world’s top recording artists and performers promoting their music and helping them build their brand. Now, the international entertainment and marketing agency is introducing its signature music label services to help independent musicians and record labels create their own blueprints for success while managing their artists and talent in-house.

Source: AMW Group Offers Music Label Services for Musicians & Record Labels

Canadian Performance Rights Org SOCAN Collected Record $405 Million in 2019

The Society of Composers, Authors & Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN) again reports record-breaking numbers, issuing preliminary year-end figures for 2019 of an estimated CA$405.5 million (USD $305.38 million) collected, an 8% increase over 2018’s $375 million ($282.41 million).

Source: Canadian Performance Rights Org SOCAN Collected Record $405 Million in 2019

France’s recorded music market was worth $867m last year, up 5.4% year-on-year

The recorded music market in France saw growth of 5.4% in 2019, with total revenues of €772 million ($867m), including physical and digital sales, neighbouring rights and sync. The results, published today (February 25) by French trade body SNEP, were fuelled by growth in streaming, which accounted for 59% of total revenue.

Source: France’s recorded music market was worth $867m last year, up 5.4% year-on-year

Get the latest RightsTech news and analysis delivered directly in your inbox every week
We respect your privacy.