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.
February, 2020
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
Universal Music Publishing Group launches new royalty portal that offers no-fee advances
The portal is available via an app downloadable on both iOS and Android and, according to UMPG, is based on “the latest in cloud-indexing technology.” It allows clients to view earnings by work title, accounting periods, territory, digital service provider, income source, income group, income type, local/international and more.
Source: Universal Music Publishing Group launches new royalty portal that offers no-fee advances
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?
Meet the students co-creating art with artificial intelligence
Using artificial neuron networks to carry out tasks that would otherwise be too dangerous for humans to perform is a central goal of the artificial intelligence community, Gounder said. There is also an opportunity to create new art through artificial intelligence analyzing other artists’ styles and then using it to create new original images of its own.
Source: Meet the students co-creating art with artificial intelligence – Mustang News