Google’s launch last week of a new ‘AI Mode’ on search in the US appears to abandon its previous position as a friend to publishers. The tech giant, which made $265bn (£205bn) in media revenue last year, is introducing an AI information delivery system built entirely on information taken from content creators without their permission, showing disregard for the health of the media ecosystem on which it relies.
Source: With launch of AI Mode Google threatens to bleed news media dry
Catalog management platform OpenPlay has launched OpenPlay Reach, a new service aimed at providing delivery, distribution, and monetization services for music and video assets. The company has appointed Bob Barbiere as Executive Vice President and General Manager to lead the new service. Barbiere brings extensive experience in music technology and rights management from previous executive roles at Dubset Media Holdings and Pex.
Source: OpenPlay launches music distribution and monetization service led by industry veteran Bob Barbiere
Hipgnosis, the catalog company with rights to songs by artists including the Red Hot Chili Peppers that became the face of music-as-an-asset-class for Wall Street investors, is being renamed Recognition Music Group, the company said on Wednesday (March 12). The new name covers Hipgnosis Songs Fund, Hipgnosis Songs Assets, and Hipgnosis Song Management.
Source: R.I.P. Hipgnosis: New Owners Change Influential Catalog Company’s Name to Recognition Music
In a ruling filed on Friday (March 7), US District JudgeVince Chhabriagranted in part and denied in part Meta’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit. The judge ruled that the authors’ claim under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) over alleged removal of copyright management information (CMI) can go forward. “The plaintiffs have adequately alleged that Meta intentionally removed [copyright management information] to conceal copyright infringement,” Judge Chhabria wrote.
Source: Sarah Silverman’s Meta copyright lawsuit advances as judge allows authors’ DMCA claims
The latest revision of the Code is billed as having “a more streamlined structure with refined commitments and measures” compared to earlier iterations, based on feedback on the second draft that was published in December. Further feedback, working group discussions and workshops will feed into the process of turning the third draft into final guidance. And the experts say they hope to achiever greater “clarity and coherence” in the final adopted version of the Code.
Cinelytic, developer of an AI-driven data analytics platform for the entertainment industry, acquired Jumpcut Media, an AI firm that develops IP management and audience analysis tools. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. “With the addition of Jumpcut’s powerful technology, Cinelytic tools become an even more essential tool for studios, producers, and executives looking to make strategic, well-informed content decisions,” said Tobias Queisser, co-founder & CEO of Cinelytic .
Source: Cinelytic Expands AI Entertainment Analytics Platform With Acquisition of Jumpcut (EXCLUSIVE)
Voice cloning AI technology has made remarkable strides in recent years, and many services can effectively mimic a person’s cadence with only a few seconds of sample audio. A new survey of the six leading publicly available AI voice cloning tools found that five have easily bypassable safeguards, making it simple to clone a person’s voice without their consent. Deepfake audio detection software often struggles to tell the difference between real and synthetic voices.
Source: AI can steal your voice, and there’s not much you can do about it
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has abandoned a proposal that would have required Alphabet Inc.’s Google to divest from artificial intelligence firms. Despite dropping the AI divestment demand, the DOJ and a coalition of 38 state attorneys general are pushing for a court order that would compel Google to sell its Chrome browser and implement additional measures to address its illegal search monopoly.
Source: DOJ Drops Google AI Divestment Plan but Pushes Forward in Antitrust Battle | PYMNTS.com
While mega-PROs like ASCAP and BMI do a laudable job of tracking, matching, and distributing royalties on billions of tracks played in the United States, a nagging question is whether these vast systems can be improved. Now, London-based Audoo has hard evidence showing that billions of song plays can be counted with near-100% accuracy.
Source: Audoo Shares Some Shocking Song-Tracking Data from Denver
New details are emerging about Amazon Music’s “artist-centric” recalibration, which, like its Spotify counterpart, includes minimum-play thresholds before uploads can begin accruing royalties. Brussels-based IMPALA fired back against the thresholds today, after Amazon Music unveiled an “artist-centric” Universal Music deal late last year.
Source: IMPALA Calls Out Amazon Music Minimum-Play Thresholds