Artificial intelligence research laboratory OpenAI today debuted a new generative model that’s able to make music called Jukebox. It’s technologically impressive, even if the results sound like mushy versions of songs that might feel familiar. According to the post on OpenAI’s blog, the researchers chose to work on music because it’s hard.
Source: OpenAI introduces Jukebox, a new AI model that generates genre-specific music with lyrics
The app-based version of BMG’s Watchlist service for songwriters means artists will be able to reach out direct to the BMG clients worldwide who use the myBMG app. BMG says that initial focus with its new Watchlist is the company’s own recording artists, but it’s also open to artists from other companies.
Source: Artists can now pitch for songs from BMG songwriters as company opens up ‘myBMG’ app
On April 22, the Canadian Federal Court of Appeal upheld a lower court decision in Access Copyright v. York University, which held that copying guidelines used by York University in Toronto did not comply with the Canadian Supreme Court’s test for fair dealing (fair use in the U.S.). But, in a major blow, the court also held that “tariff” payments for the university’s copying—under rates set by the Canadian government’s national Copyright Board—are not mandatory.
Source: After Loss on Appeal, Canadian Publishers Say Copyright System Is Broken
Florida-based royalty collection firm Pro Music Rights has launched what it describes as “a fully automated and transparent standardized music licensing dashboard and reporting system.” The company has also lowered its monthly music licensing fee to $50 per month per location/service, plus music usage fees, according to a press release.
Source: Pro Music Rights launches music licensing dashboard and reporting system
To achieve the digital transformation, the festival will upgrade its existing video on demand portal, and is working with our on-demand provider Shift72 to create a digital screening room, coupled with live streaming event possibilities on the festival’s own website. “This is an extraordinary situation and we need to adapt and find a creative solution for 2020,” said New Zealand Film Festival Trust chair Catherine Fitzgerald.
The impressive revenue benchmark – which totals about $4.038 billion overall – represents a 33 percent uptick from YouTube’s Q1 2019 earnings of approximately $3 billion. And significantly, YouTube’s Q1 2020 income accounted for nearly 10 percent of Google’s earnings, despite the fact that the leading search engine also experienced a substantial revenue increase from Q1 2019.
Source: YouTube Quarterly Revenue Surges 33%, Past $4 Billion In Q1
Source: Coronavirus Shutdown Puts Disney+ in a Programming Crunch
Cable giant Comcast, led by chairman and CEO Brian Roberts, on Thursday reported lower earnings for entertainment unit NBCUniversal for the first quarter as the novel coronavirus pandemic started hitting TV advertising revenue and the firm’s theme parks unit.
Source: NBCUniversal Earnings Drop as Pandemic Hits TV Advertising, Theme Parks
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science will allow some movies released on streaming platforms and via digital release to qualify for the 2021 Oscars because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This doesn’t mean that every movie on every streaming service is suddenly going to be eligible to be nominated for Best Picture, though.
Source: Next year’s Oscars will allow streaming-only movies to qualify, but with heavy restrictions
AMC Theaters chairman-CEO Adam Aron attacked the notion of breaking that 90-day window in a strongly worded letter to Universal Filmed Entertainment Group chairman Donna Langley, saying the change in releasing policy is unacceptable. “It is disappointing to us, but Jeff’s comments as to Universal’s unilateral actions and intentions have left us with no choice,” Aron said in the letter.
Source: AMC Theatres Won’t Play Universal Movies in Wake of ‘Trolls World Tour’ Dispute