Spotify will now offer more than 1,000 audiobooks from some 100 publishers distributed by Ingram Content Group (ICG), thanks to a new partnership between the streaming giant and Ingram. The newly added audiobooks come from a range of small and independent publishers, including Europa Editions, Milkweed Editions, G&D Media, Bard Press, and New Society Publishers.
Source: Spotify Adds 1,000 Audiobooks from 100 Publishers Distributed by Ingram
Apple says it offers radio monitoring for 40,000 radio stations from more than 200 countries and regions. Radio Spins data is integrated throughout the Apple Music for Artists experience so artists can see which stations and regions are giving their music air time. The Trends page offers more detailed data, such as the stations that are spinning an artists’ music the most, or which songs from an artists’ catalog are receiving the most plays across all monitored stations.
Source: Apple Music for Artists Adds Radio Monitoring for 40,000+ Stations
Major video game makers – like Activision, Warner Bros and Walt Disney – are facing a strike by Hollywood performers over the use of artificial intelligence (AI). It follows a year and half of talks over a new a contract between the companies and a union representing more than 2,500 video game performers.
Source: Video game performers go on strike over artificial intelligence
Songwriters have traditionally remained in the background of artists’ stories. It has often been assumed that fans would be turned off by the knowledge that their favourite artist did not write all their songs alone, and that fans would not care to know much about the writers behind the curtain anyway. But today’s fans might tell you otherwise.
AI models can degrade themselves, turning original content into irredeemable gibberish over just a few generations, according to research published today in Nature. The recent study highlights the increasing risk of AI model collapse due to self-training, emphasizing the need for original data sources and careful data filtering.
Source: AI Learning From Its Own Nonsense Might Just Self-Destruct, Experts Warn
According to Spotify: “If the MLC were entirely successful in this case, the additional royalties that would be due in relation to the period March 1, 2024 to June 30, 2024 would be approximately €46 million ($49.5 million) of which approximately €35 million relates to the three months ended June 30, 2024, plus potentially penalties and interest, which we cannot reasonably estimate.”
Source: Spotify estimates that it would have to pay out $50m if the MLC wins its bundling lawsuit
One of Hollywood’s go-to law firms is tackling the scourge. Venable LLP, whose clients include Swift, Peyton Manning and “La La Land” producer Automatik, is launching Takedown, a sophisticated program that proactively identifies and removes illicit and unauthorized deepfake videos and images and pirated content online. The program was created by Venable Blue, the firm’s consulting arm that deals with cybersecurity and privacy issues.
Source: Top Hollywood Law Firm Launches Service to Combat Soaring Celebrity Deepfake Phenomenon
On the earnings call Tuesday, Spotify’s Ek argued that, despite there being “things that we’re arguing about,” the company has largely had a healthy relationship with the music business – and it’s in Spotify’s interest to see the industry grow stronger. “We are spending a lot of time and effort in making sure that it keeps growing,” Ek said. “That is our primary thing that we’re doing as a company.”
Spotify has outlined arguments in support of the dismissal of the unpaid royalties lawsuit filed against it by the MLC. “Books are not music, and audiobook streaming is not music streaming. Books are mainstream products offered both by Spotify and competitors via downloads and subscription streaming and, importantly, they are created and licensed by different rights holders (i.e., book authors and publishers) who charge separate license fees.”
Source: Spotify Urges MLC Lawsuit Dismissal Amid Bundling Controversy
SAG-AFTRA has authorized its chief negotiator to potentially call for an immediate strike because of a controversy surrounding the use and treatment of AI voices in video games. Union leadership has made it clear in recent statements that they regard AI as a significant issue in the voice-acting space, and that a strike is potentially in the cards.
Source: SAG-AFTRA May Call Immediate Strike Over Lack Of AI Protections For Voice Actors