During a 30-minute Zoom press conference on July 22, Internet Archive founder Brewster Kahle urged the four major publishers suing over the organization’s book scanning efforts to consider settling the dispute in the boardroom rather than the courtroom.
Source: Internet Archive to Publishers: Drop ‘Needless’ Copyright Lawsuit and Work with Us
TikTok and the US-based National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) have inked a multi-year licensing agreement. According to the NMPA – whose members include all three major music publishers, plus the world’s biggest indies – the deal “accounts for TikTok’s past use of musical works” as well as setting up a “forward-looking partnership”.
Source: TikTok inks global deal with music publishers (who previously threatened to sue it)
Twitch has gradually become a key place to watch live sports and content over the past year, and Amazon is now acknowledging its push for sports dominance with the launch of a sports category on Twitch. The standalone sports category will include streams from soccer clubs like Arsenal and Real Madrid, with Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain set to follow.
Source: Twitch launches a new sports category as Amazon pushes for sports dominance
Spotify and Universal Music Group have finalized a new and expanded multi-year global licensing agreement. As part of the arrangement, announced Wednesday (July 22), the label group deepens its role as an early adopter of Spotify’s marketing tools and other tech features that both parties hope will foster more impactful connections between fans and artists in innovative ways.
As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to spike in many states, Penguin Random House this week announced that it is extending its Open License for online story time and read-aloud videos through December 31, 2020. The program was first announced in March to encourage digital read-aloud sessions for libraries and schools closed by the novel coronavirus outbreak.
Source: Penguin Random House Extends Open License for Online Readings Through 2020
Facebook is reportedly preparing to launch official music videos, as part of a larger effort to expand its reach in the music and creation spheres. Per these early reports, Facebook has emailed artist-page administrators instructions on how they can have licensed music videos automatically integrated into their pages.
Source: Hey, YouTube: Facebook Is About to Offer Official Music Videos
Platforms such as YouTube and Uploaded are not directly liable for the copyright-infringing uploads of their users. That’s according to an opinion from Advocate General Saugmandsgaard Øe published by the EU Court of Justice today. Importantly, however, the advice relates only to current EU law, which will change next year with a new liability regime under Article 17.
Source: YouTube & Uploaded Not Liable For Pirate Uploads Advises EU Advocate General * TorrentFreak
The history of candidates using songs, and artists complaining about it, is long and tortuous. But like so many other conflicts, such episodes have become especially common during the divisive Trump era. In just the last few weeks, Neil Young, Dexy’s Midnight Runners, Panic! at the Disco singer Brendon Urie, and the estate of Tom Petty have all objected to their music being played at Trump events.
Source: Musicians Might Be Able to Finally Stop Trump From Using Their Songs
The Justice Department is planning a virtual public workshop on one of the most contentious issues in the music business – the future of the nearly 80-year-old consent decrees that have governed how works are licensed. The event on July 28 and 29 is the latest development as the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division reviews the decrees, a move that would have huge implications on songwriters, artists and publishers.
Source: Justice Department Plans Virtual Workshop On Music Industry Consent Decrees
The interactive workout giant in February settled a lawsuit filed by the National Music Publishers Association for an undisclosed sum. Now, with the suit in the rear view and artists seeking fan connection during the pandemic-produced live music pause, Peloton is looking to get up to speed with musicians, songwriters and producers.
Source: Peloton’s New Music Chief On Why Artists Should Take The Company For A Spin