Rights

TikTok is taking extra steps to crackdown on content that violates its standards for minors on the platform. That includes removing adult nudity and sexual activities, violent or graphic content, and illegal content and references to drugs. In that mix, it looks like copyright-related concerns aren’t topping the list — not by a long shot.

Source: TikTok Removed 81 Million Videos In Q2 2021

Music streaming service owners including Spotify, Apple, Amazon, Pandora and Google have all filed documents with the US Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) this week to tell them what they think they should pay songwriters for the five years between 2023 and 2027.

Source: Spotify and other streaming services propose ‘lowest royalty rates in history’ for songwriters

According to TikTok, in addition to its Commercial Music Library, which includes over 150,000 pre-cleared, royalty-free tracks “sourced from emerging artists and top-tier music houses”, the certified Sound Partners introduced today (October 7) can “help [brands] leverage the unique potential of TikTok’s sound-on environment at scale”.

Source: TikTok names six certified Sound Partners including Songtradr, MassiveMusic, UnitedMasters and Epidemic Sound

The RIAA has secured an important victory in its piracy lawsuit against YouTube-rippers FLVTO.biz and 2conv.com and their Russian operator. A Virginia federal court has issued a default judgment in favor of several prominent music companies. The RIAA also requests over $82 million in damages, which has yet to be signed off in court.

Source: RIAA Secures ‘Victory’ Against YouTube Rippers and Seeks $82m in Damages * TorrentFreak

For rights holders, lawsuits are shifting to cooperation, most recently with the NMPA settling its $200 million copyright infringement lawsuit with Roblox and launching licensing talks. A recent Deloitte study showed that Gen Z is the first generation for whom watching TV and movies isn’t their preferred entertainment activity. Instead, gaming landed the top spot and music came in second.

Source: Inside Track: Where Does Music’s Love Affair With Gaming Go?

Los Angeles-based music licensing platform Pex has partnered with the World Intellectual Property Organization Arbitration and Mediation Center to provide what it claims to be “an industry first” – an impartial human review system for copyright infringement. The system is intended for use by all of those who create and house content, including creators, rightsholders, and platforms.

Source: Pex launches new copyright dispute resolution service in partnership with WIPO Center

In 2020, British singer-songwriter Eddy Grant filed a lawsuit against then-President Donald Trump over the unlicensed use of his 1982 song ‘Electric Avenue’. Trump’s lawyers attempted to have the copyright claim thrown out, claiming that any use of the song was protected under the doctrine of fair use.

Source: Court Rejects Trump’s Motion to Dismiss ‘Electric Avenue’ Lawsuit on Fair Use Grounds * TorrentFreak

The agreement with Warner Music Group’s recorded music business will see the launch of WMG artist channels, including Warner Records stars Bella Poarch and Saweetie and Atlantic Records’ viral breakout singer/producer Sueco, featuring exclusive content and behind-the-scenes material. A standalone WMG music space featuring premium music-centric programming will also be created and promises to be “an up-to-the-minute exclusive experience.”

Source: Warner Music Group and Twitch ink ‘first-of-its-kind’ partnership

A week after signing a long-awaited agreement with Twitch, the National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) has struck a deal with Roblox, resolving the $200 million copyright infringement lawsuit it launched against the gaming platform in June. The deal settles claims filed by NMPA members over music use on the platform and lets NMPA members opt-in to a negotiation period during which they will individually set up go-forward music licensing deals with Roblox.

Source: NMPA and Roblox Settle Copyright Suit, Launch Music Licensing Talks