The legal framework for generative AI — large language models, or LLMs — is still very much TBD. But things aren’t looking great for the news companies dreaming of billions in new revenue from AI companies that have trained LLMs (in very small part) on their products. While elements of those models’ training will be further litigated, courts have thus far not looked favorably on the idea that what they produce is a copyright infringement.
Sports Illustrated is the latest media company damaged by an AI experiment gone wrong
Sports Illustrated is the latest media company damaged by being less than forthcoming about who or what is writing its stories at the dawn of the artificial intelligence age. Many companies are testing the new technology at a time when human workers fear it could cost jobs. But the process is fraught in journalism, which builds and markets its values-based products around the notions of truth and transparency.
Source: Sports Illustrated is the latest media company damaged by an AI experiment gone wrong
IMPALA Demands EU Bill Addressing ‘Material Reciprocity’ Ruling
IMPALA and others are calling for EU legislation to address the end of ‘material reciprocity’ for recorded performance royalties. Because the continent’s music professionals (and those in other parts of the world) aren’t compensated for their recordings’ use on U.S. radio, CMOs have long opted against forwarding the corresponding royalties to the States, a practice summarized as “material reciprocity.”
Source: IMPALA Demands EU Bill Addressing ‘Material Reciprocity’ Ruling
Creator payments startup Mozaic·io raises $20m funding round
Startup Mozaic·io describes itself as a ‘global payments platform for co-creators’ that helps people to send, receive and split payments for their work. Now Mozaic has raised $20m of Series A funding to continue growing. The round was from investment firm Volition Capital, bringing the startup’s total raised so far to $27.1m.
Source: Creator payments startup Mozaic·io raises $20m funding round – Music Ally
Credits Due toolkit aims to boost music metadata campaign
Credits Due is the initiative launched in 2021 by ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus to encourage musicians to create accurate metadata for their work. Backed by the Ivors Academy and Music Rights Awareness Foundation, it has since picked up support from PROs including PPL in the UK. Now it’s getting another push with the launch of a toolkit that music organizations can use to hold events promoting the initiative to musicians.
Source: Credits Due toolkit aims to boost music metadata campaign – Music Ally
California’s privacy watchdog eyes AI rules with opt-out and access rights
California’s Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) is preparing for its next trick: Putting guardrails on AI. The state privacy regulator, which has an important role in setting rules of the road for digital giants given how much of Big Tech (and Big AI) is headquartered on its sun-kissed soil, has today published draft regulations for how people’s data can be used for what it refers to as automated decision-making technology (ADMT*). Aka AI.
Source: California’s privacy watchdog eyes AI rules with opt-out and access rights | TechCrunch
iHeartMedia to receive $100m from sale of BMI
On Monday (November 27), iHeart said that it expects, following the sale, to receive “approximately” $100 million of proceeds “related to its equity interest in BMI, subject to approval of the transaction by BMI shareholders and customary regulatory approvals”. The US broadcaster added that it plans to use the proceeds for “general corporate purposes, which may include the repayment of debt”.
Hipgnosis Songs Fund Discloses New Details on ‘Strategic Review’
Hipgnosis Songs Fund has disclosed new details about its strategic review, including an attempt to retool its investment adviser agreement. Beginning on the strategic review side, Hipgnosis Songs Fund’s board, chaired by the former board head of Round Hill’s own songs fund, is preparing “to appoint independent advisers to conduct due diligence on” HSF’s assets, according to the relevant release.
Source: Hipgnosis Songs Fund Discloses New Details on ‘Strategic Review’
IFPI shares fans’ views on AI amid latest EU AI Act pressure
The body has published some findings from its upcoming ‘Engaging with Music 2023’ report, which has surveyed more than 43,000 music fans across 26 countries. It found that 89% of those people are aware of AI technologies, and that 79% agree that ‘human creativity remains essential to the creation of music’.
Source: IFPI shares fans’ views on AI amid latest EU AI Act pressure – Music Ally
Who Needs a Record Label? VC-Like Investments Power New Music Artists
A generation of independent music artists—from a ukulele-strumming college student to pop singers belting in front of smartphones—are getting their start outside of major labels with the help of online marketplaces that pair them with financial backers. “The whole world believes indie artists make pennies,” says Indify Chief Executive Shav Garg. “We believe artists are founders.”
Source: Who Needs a Record Label? VC-Like Investments Power New Music Artists