Rights

The Connecticut bill is similar to efforts in other states now underway, in that it would require publishers who offer an e-book to consumers in the state to also offer to license the works to libraries on reasonable terms. One notable difference, however, is that the Connecticut bill offers a broad definition of what is meant by “reasonable” terms.

Source: Connecticut Introduces Library E-book Bill

The streaming revolution is changing the way film composers get paid and exposing the flaws of a system where big names farm their scores out to uncredited “ghost composers.” Now, the artists actually writing the music are demanding recognition—and a fair share of the profits.

Source: “The Minions Do the Actual Writing”: The Ugly Truth of How Movie Scores Are Made

The US Copyright Office has rejected a request to let an AI copyright a work of art. Last week, a three-person board reviewed a 2019 ruling against Steven Thaler, who tried to copyright a picture on behalf of an algorithm he dubbed Creativity Machine. The board found that Thaler’s AI-created image didn’t include an element of “human authorship” — a necessary standard, it said, for protection.

Source: The US Copyright Office says an AI can’t copyright its art

The belief that all information should be free is certainly not new but having scientific and academic knowledge as a subject matter has lit a fire under people who would normally shy away from promoting infringement. After balancing the greater good of the many against the profits of the few, some scientists and researchers are even prepared to go to court to fight for Sci-Hub’s existence.

Source: Sci-Hub Blocking: Court Denies Researchers’ Application to Intervene * TorrentFreak

Haldeman’s new company claims to be “building a first-of-its-kind decentralized music licensing marketplace for music and visual creators”. Speaking with MBW, Haldeman said that, “the more I’ve learned about the principles of Web3, the clearer it’s become that blockchain technology has the power to revolutionize the market for music licensing and create more opportunities for artists”.

Source: Riptide Music CEO Keatly Haldeman exits, launches Web3 music sync licensing platform, Dequency

As part of the partnership, Hello Sunshine will build out the World of Women character universe and franchise into entertainment properties including feature films, scripted and unscripted TV series. The move is another sign of the growing popularity of NFTs and the potential they hold for traditional media companies on the prowl for intellectual property.

Source: Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine, World of Women Partner to Adapt NFTs Into Movies, TV Shows (EXCLUSIVE)

Spotter, a two-year-old startup that acquires rights to the video catalogs of YouTubers, announced $200 million in new funding led by Japan’s SoftBank. Spotter said that gives it a valuation of $1.7 billion — and will let the company invest $1 billion with YouTube creators.

Source: Spotter Says It Has $1 Billion War Chest to Buy YouTube Creators’ Video Catalogs After Major Funding Round

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), in its 2021 Review of Notorious Markets for Counterfeiting and Piracy released Thursday (Feb. 17), identified 42 online markets and 25 physical markets that reportedly engage in or facilitate significant trademark counterfeiting or copyright piracy.

Source: US Trade Rep Identifies 7 Online Platforms as Significant Threats to Music Creators

In ruling for the Aassociation of American Publishers, judge Deborah L. Boardman held that striking the balance between the critical functions of libraries and the importance of preserving the exclusive rights of copyright holders is squarely in the province of Congress and not this Court or a state legislature.

Source: Court Blocks Maryland’s Library E-book Law

The agreement includes his entire publishing catalog (Boom Boom, One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer, Boogie Chillen, among others), co-acquired with BMG’s longstanding partner Fujipacific Music. BMG currently represents or owns rights in many of blues music’s most influential artists including Son House, Willie Dixon, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson II, Mississippi Fred McDowell, alongside many others.

Source: BMG acquires music interests of blues icon John Lee Hooker