‘You can make really good stuff – fast’: new AI tools a gamechanger for film-makers

Within two weeks, Mallal, who directed Spiders in the Sky on his own, was able to make a film about the Ukraine attack that would have cost millions – and would have taken at least two years including development – to make pre-AI. “Using AI, it should be possible to make things that we’ve never seen before,” he said. “We’ve never seen a cinematic news piece before turned around in two weeks. We’ve never seen a thriller based on the news made in two weeks.”

Source: ‘You can make really good stuff – fast’: new AI tools a gamechanger for film-makers

Judge Rules Class Action Suit Against Anthropic Can Proceed

In a major victory for authors, U.S. District Judge William Alsup ruled July 17 that three writers suing Anthropic for copyright infringement can represent all other authors whose books the AI company allegedly pirated to train its AI model as part of a class action lawsuit. Alsup’s most recent ruling follows an amended complaint from the authors looking to certify classes of copyright owners in a “Pirated Books Class” and in a “Scanned Books Class.

Source: Judge Rules Class Action Suit Against Anthropic Can Proceed

Libraries Pay More for E-Books. Some States Want to Change That.

The issue is causing tension in the book community. Librarians complain that publishers charge so much to license e-books that it’s busting library budgets and frustrating efforts to provide equitable access to reading materials. Big publishers and many authors say that e-book library access undermines their already struggling business models. Smaller presses are split.

Source: Libraries Pay More for E-Books. Some States Want to Change That.

Hollywood’s being reshaped by generative AI. What does that mean for screenwriters?

As AI creeps further into Hollywood, screenwriters like Billy Ray, Paul Schrader, Bong Joon Ho and Todd Haynes, along with a new class of tech disruptors, are navigating the uncertain future of storytelling. “My level of impostor syndrome, neuroticism and guilt is high enough while I’m working my ass off,” Ray says by phone, his voice equal parts weariness and outrage. “There’s no way I’d make myself feel worse by letting a machine do my writing for me. Zero interest.”

Source: Hollywood’s being reshaped by generative AI. What does that mean for screenwriters?

AI-generated music is going viral. Should the music industry be worried?

The quality and originality of AI music have often been criticized, but experts say that as generative AI becomes more sophisticated, it’s becoming harder and harder for the average listener to distinguish between human and machine. ″[The Velvet Sundown]” is much better music than most of what we’ve heard from AI in the past,” Jason Palamara, an assistant professor of music technology at the Herron School of Art and Design, told CNBC.

Source: AI-generated music is going viral. Should the music industry be worried?

Rise of the Machines: Inside Hollywood’s AI Civil War

Hollywood is currently in the midst of an AI insurgency, though even that noun may not do the moment justice. Though still fragmented, the effort is increasingly looking like a full-on takeover, a Pixar-like artquake that aims to change the provenance of images, the business of production and (not to put too fine a point on it) the language of cinema itself. In response to this ambition, a countermovement has arisen, a prickly resistance to the idea of removing creativity from human hands.

Source: Rise of the Machines: Inside Hollywood’s AI Civil War

EU to launch ‘full-scale’ investigation into UMG’s Downtown deal, Reuters reports

The European Commission is planning to open a “full-scale” investigation into Universal Music Group‘s proposed acquisition of Downtown Music Holdings. That’s according to a report published by Reuters, citing “three people with direct knowledge of the matter.” UMG’s Virgin Music Group revealed in December that it had agreed to buy Downtown Music Holdings LLC in a $775 million deal.

Source: EU to launch ‘full-scale’ investigation into UMG’s $775m Downtown deal, Reuters reports

Google Discover adds AI summaries, threatening publishers with further traffic declines 

As publishers fret about decreased traffic from Google, the search giant has begun rolling out AI summaries in Discover. The feature will appear on iOS and Android in the U.S., with a focus on trending lifestyle topics like sports and entertainment. Google also noted the feature will make it easier for people to decide what pages they want to visit.

Source: Google Discover adds AI summaries, threatening publishers with further traffic declines | TechCrunch

Not Just Verizon: Google Pauses Infringement Litigation Amid Supreme Court Look

Google requests a stay in a copyright infringement case brought by textbook publishers pending the Supreme Court’s decision in Cox v. Sony. A lawsuit filed against Google by several textbook publishers in 2024 accuses the tech giant of not doing enough to prevent piracy, and, in fact, profiting from it. Google saw a win when the publishers’ vicarious liability claim was dismissed, but a claim for contributory infringement is yet to be decided.

Source: Google Pauses Infringement Litigation Amid Supreme Court Look

Verizon Seeks Copyright Suit Stay Pending Supreme Court Ruling

Verizon is looking to pause its own copyright battle with the major record labels until the Supreme Court issues a related ruling. By now, many are familiar with the long-running showdown between the majors (which scored a massive verdict over Cox subscribers’ alleged repeat infringement) and Cox. Last month, the Supreme Court agreed to review the case, and the resulting precedent could have a far-reaching impact on music-space infringement litigation.

Source: Verizon Seeks Copyright Suit Stay Pending Supreme Court Ruling

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