Hollywood leans on a network of trade groups and associations representing various segments of the business. These include unions, guilds and professional organizations that advocate and promote the interests of its members. Threats to revoke tax-exemptions for trade groups and nonprofits in the entertainment industry could be used as a bartering chip for the administration to get what it wants.
Harvard Was First. Hollywood Could Be Next
Who Owns AI-Created Stories? Hollywood Grapples With a Shifting IP Landscape
Hollywood’s latest drama isn’t unfolding on screen—it’s playing out in legal departments, writers’ rooms, and the fast-evolving field of intellectual property law. With AI now assisting in everything from script treatments to concept art, the industry is facing one key question: Who owns what the machine creates? S
Source: Who Owns AI-Created Stories? Hollywood Grapples With a Shifting IP Landscape — AI In Hollywood
EU’s €500m fine of Apple and enforcement action is good news for publishers
Publishers have welcomed a ruling that should make it easier for them to make money from apps when operating in EU countries. Apple has 60 days to comply with a ruling under the EU Digital Markets Act which was accompanied with a €500m fine for abusing its dominant market position when it comes to the distribution and monetization of apps in its store.
Source: EU’s €500m fine of Apple and enforcement action is good news for publishers
OpenAI hit with copyright lawsuit by digital media giant Ziff Davis
Ziff Davis, the parent company of several digital media brands, filed a lawsuit in Delaware federal court against OpenAI for copyright infringement. In the complaint, the nearly 100-year-old publisher claims the artificial intelligence company has copied its written works verbatim to train the model behind popular chatbot ChatGPT.
Source: OpenAI hit with copyright lawsuit by digital media giant Ziff Davis
Actors are Regretting Licensing Their Likeness to AI Companies
Actors are earning good money by licensing their likenesses to AI companies — but some are now regretting it. A growing number of performers have been shocked to discover their likeness being used in ways they find embarrassing, damaging, or even harmful. In many cases, actors who didn’t fully grasp the long-term implications are now speaking out of licensing their image to AI.
Source: Actors are Regretting Licensing Their Likeness to AI Companies
European competition regulator to assess UMG’s $775m acquisition of Downtown Music
The European Commission confirms that it has accepted requests submitted by Austria and the Netherlands to assess the proposed acquisition of Downtown by UMG under the EU Merger Regulation (EMMR). According to the official announcement from the EC on Friday (April 25): “The proposed transaction does not reach the turnover thresholds set out in the EUMR and therefore was not notified to the Commission.
Source: Confirmed: European competition regulator to assess UMG’s $775m acquisition of Downtown Music
Collective licence to ensure UK authors get paid for works used to train AI
UK licensing bodies have announced a “pioneering” collective license that will allow authors to be paid for the use of their works to train generative AI models. The Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA) – which is directed by the Publishers’ Licensing Services (PLS) and the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society (ALCS), representing publishers and authors – will develop the license, set to be the first of its kind in the UK.
Source: Collective licence to ensure UK authors get paid for works used to train AI
MPA and RIAA Want to be Heard in Crucial DMCA Subpoena Appeal
The MPA and RIAA want to have their say in a crucial third-party Ninth Circuit appeal about the use of DMCA subpoenas against alleged online pirates. Fearing a ruling that could limit their enforcement options, the groups requested speaking time at an upcoming hearing. This intervention, as well as previous commentary from the EFF, which is backed by a new party, underscores the high-stakes nature of the case.
Source: MPA and RIAA Want to be Heard in Crucial DMCA Subpoena Appeal * TorrentFreak
Apple and Meta Are First to Be Hit by E.U. Digital Competition Law
Apple was fined 500 million euros ($570 million) and Meta was fined €200 million ($230 million) for breaking the Digital Markets Act, which was adopted in 2022. The European law aims to keep big tech companies from abusing their position as digital gatekeepers that can unilaterally impose requirements on users and businesses.
Source: Apple and Meta Are First to Be Hit by E.U. Digital Competition Law
OpenAI wants to buy Chrome and make it an “AI-first” experience
The remedy phase of Google’s antitrust trial is underway, with the government angling to realign Google’s business after the company was ruled a search monopolist. The Department of Justice is seeking a plethora of penalties, but perhaps none as severe as forcing Google to sell Chrome. But who would buy it? An OpenAI executive says his employer would be interested.
Source: OpenAI wants to buy Chrome and make it an “AI-first” experience