Headlines

Music Publishers Begin ‘Extensive’ Spotify Podcast Takedowns Over Licensing Violations

Just hours after Spotify announced its first-ever annual net profit, the National Music Publishers’ Association has launched an ongoing takedown initiative against the streaming giant for the unlicensed use of music in podcasts on its platform. Beginning today (Feb. 4), notices will be sent to remove thousands of unlicensed uses of NMPA members’ works, according to the announcement. Over 2,500 detections of infringement are included in the initial takedown notices.

Source: Music Publishers Begin ‘Extensive’ Spotify Podcast Takedowns Over Licensing Violations

Spotify Hits First Full-Year Profit, Adds 35M Users

The audio giant reported 675 million monthly active users, the largest fourth-quarter increase in Spotify’s history, as the company reported momentum from “strong holiday and Wrapped campaigns.” Paid subscribers grew 11 percent year over year to 63 million, up from 252 million last quarter and 3 million above guidance. Both came in above Spotify’s guidance.

Source: Spotify Hits First Full-Year Profit, Adds 35M Users

Sora Heralds a New Form of Filmmaking—But At What Cost?

Sora Selects has arrayed 10 artists and artist teams who have used the artificial intelligence video generator to create short films that showcase the tool’s creative possibilities. OpenAI, the company behind the model, has invested $3 million into the initiative, with its team spending the past 10 months fostering a relationship with these artists.

Source: Sora Heralds a New Form of Filmmaking—But At What Cost?

Fox Corp. Expects to Launch New Stand-Alone Streamer by End of 2025

Fox Corporation expects to launch a new stand-alone subscription-based streaming service by the end of 2025, as the company, which has resisted the call to plunge millions into developing premium content for broadband audiences, sees new allure in the business. The plan, said Fox Corp. CEO Lachlan Murdoch, would be to launch a new broadband outlet that helps “put our content in front of everybody who wants it on any platform.”

Source: Fox Corp. Expects to Launch New Stand-Alone Streamer by End of 2025

US court says copyright termination applies globally

Until now, it was generally understood that when an author exercises their termination right under US law, this applies only to US rights – international rights remain with the assignee (i.e., the publisher who bought the rights). However, a recent ruling by the US District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana upended this: The court concluded that a termination under US law applies globally – or, at least, in all the countries that participate in the Berne Convention.

Source: US court says copyright termination applies globally, potentially causing ‘chaos’ for rightsholders

Why ‘Distillation’ Has Become the Scariest Word for AI Companies

The leading AIs from companies like OpenAI and Anthropic essentially teach themselves from the ground up with huge amounts of raw data—a process that typically takes many months and tens of millions of dollars or more. By drawing on the results of such work, distillation can create a model that is almost as good in a matter of weeks or even days, for substantially less money.

Source: Why ‘Distillation’ Has Become the Scariest Word for AI Companies

EU AI Act: First Requirements Become Legally Binding

As of Feb. 2, the first few requirements of the E.U. AI Act are now legally binding, and businesses operating in the region that do not abide by them are at risk of a fine. The next milestone for the AI Act will come at the end of April, when the European Commission will likely publish the final Code of Practice for General Purpose AI Models, according to Rulf. The code will become effective in August, as will the powers of member state supervisory authorities for enforcing the Act.

Source: EU AI Act: First Requirements Become Legally Binding

DeepSeek gives Europe’s tech firms a chance to catch up in global AI race

DeepSeek’s emergence is changing the landscape for AI, offering companies access to the technology at a fraction of the cost, according to interviews with more than a dozen startup executives and investors. It also has the potential to push other AI companies to improve their models and bring down prices. Europe’s tech startups had struggled to adopt the new technology at the same rate as U.S. rivals, which have easier access to funding.

Source: DeepSeek gives Europe’s tech firms a chance to catch up in global AI race

The MLC Is ‘Evaluating All Available Options’ Including An Appeal

The legal team for the MLC has stated that it is ‘evaluating all options’ including a potential appeal of Spotify’s bundling court victory. Spotify’s bundling of audiobooks into its Premium Individual, Duo, and Family subscription plans are at the heart of the issue. Applying the rate formula applicable to bundled subscription offerings resulted in a reduction of the service provider revenue that Spotify reports, resulting in an underpayment of royalties.

Source: The MLC Is ‘Evaluating All Available Options’ Including An Appeal

‘Superman’ Estate Sues Warner Bros. Discovery, DC Comics To Block Release In Key Territories

The estate of Superman creator Joseph Schuster is suing Warner Bros. Discovery and DC Comics alleging that its planned release some key territories is illegal. Plaintiff Mark Warren Peary, executor to the estate, filed the suit in Federal Court in the Southern District of New York seeking “damages and injunctive relief for Defendants’ ongoing infringement in Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Australia.”

Source: ‘Superman’ Estate Sues Warner Bros. Discovery, DC Comics To Block Release In Key Territories

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