Digital

145 posts

Universal and TikTok are best buds again

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TikTok • 3 min read

Universal and TikTok are best buds again

Universal Music has agreed a new licensing deal with TikTok, ending a three month standoff that saw the major’s music removed from the social media platform. Universal says its new deal properly values music, while providing reassurances about TikTok’s ambitions in AI…

Chris Cooke • 02 May 2024

FKA Twigs and Warner boss tell Senators about the urgent need for a US-wide law to regulate deepfakes

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AI • 3 min read

FKA Twigs and Warner boss tell Senators about the urgent need for a US-wide law to regulate deepfakes

Proposals to introduce a new US-wide law to allow people to stop the unofficial use of AI to replicate their voice and likeness were discussed in Congress yesterday, with FKA Twigs and Warner Music boss Robert Kyncl among those providing their perspectives…

Chris Cooke • 01 May 2024

MPs call on UK government to create “a pro-creative industries AI bill”

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AI • 3 min read

MPs call on UK government to create “a pro-creative industries AI bill”

The All-Party Parliamentary Group On Music has published a report on music and AI making a number of recommendations to government. That includes a “a pro-creative industries AI bill” the clarifies the copyright obligations of AI companies and introduces a new personality right for artists…

Chris Cooke • 01 May 2024

EU TikTok ban “is not excluded” says European Commission President, as FCC Commissioner says US ban won’t be scuppered in the courts

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TikTok • 3 min read

EU TikTok ban “is not excluded” says European Commission President, as FCC Commissioner says US ban won’t be scuppered in the courts

TikTok is embarking on a court battle in the US to try to block the recently passed sell-or-be-banned law. FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr predicts those efforts will fail. Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says a possible future EU TikTok ban can’t be entirely ruled out…

Chris Cooke • 30 Apr 2024

ByteDance would rather close TikTok in the US than sell the app, sources say

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TikTok • 2 min read

ByteDance would rather close TikTok in the US than sell the app, sources say

The clock is ticking for ByteDance to sell TikTok or face the app being banned in the US following the passing of a sell-or-be-banned law earlier this week. However, sources now say ByteDance would rather see TikTok close in the US than have to split up or sell on its all important algorithm…

Chris Cooke • 26 Apr 2024

Spotify says Apple “defying” European law as its updated app is knocked back

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Spotify • 2 min read

Spotify says Apple “defying” European law as its updated app is knocked back

Spotify is still trying to update its iOS app in the EU to take advantage of the recent regulator ruling in relation to Apple’s App Store rules. But Apple won’t approve the updates until Spotify agrees to new terms, including a new commission fee. That “defies” European law, says Spotify…

Chris Cooke • 26 Apr 2024

Indie publishers hit out at Spotify’s bundling trick to lower songwriter payments

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Spotify • 2 min read

Indie publishers hit out at Spotify’s bundling trick to lower songwriter payments

It recently emerged that Spotify was reclassifying its main premium subscription product as a bundle, because of the audiobooks, which means it can pay a lower song royalty rate under the compulsory licence in the US. A group of independent music publishers has now criticised that move…

Chris Cooke • 26 Apr 2024

The clock is now TikTokking as US Senate votes through sell-or-be-banned law

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TikTok • 3 min read

The clock is now TikTokking as US Senate votes through sell-or-be-banned law

The law ordering ByteDance to sell TikTok or see the app banned in the US has been passed by both chambers of Congress. TikTok will now begin work trying to get the law overturned in the courts, while Donald Trump tries to use his opposition to it to connect with younger voters…

Chris Cooke • 24 Apr 2024

Publishers hit out at Spotify’s bundling trick to reduce royalty payments

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Spotify • 2 min read

Publishers hit out at Spotify’s bundling trick to reduce royalty payments

Spotify has been accused of trying to “radically reduce songwriter payments” in the US by reclassifying its subscriptions as music and audiobook bundles. The change allows it to pay lower US compulsory licence rates, but the National Music Publishers Association says it “will not stand” for this…

Chris Cooke • 19 Apr 2024

MLC lawsuit is “wild overreach” says Pandora, accusing US mechanicals society of “legal frolics”

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Pandora • 3 min read

MLC lawsuit is “wild overreach” says Pandora, accusing US mechanicals society of “legal frolics”

Pandora has responded to a lawsuit filed by collecting society MLC in a dispute over whether or not the streaming platform’s personalised radio service should be classified as interactive or non-interactive. Pandora says not only is the MLC’s position on this wrong, it shouldn’t even have a position…

Chris Cooke • 17 Apr 2024

Amazon launches AI playlist tool in beta

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Amazon • 1 min read

Amazon launches AI playlist tool in beta

Amazon Music has launched a new AI playlist creation tool in beta for a small number of US users. This comes hot on the heels of a similar new feature announced by Spotify earlier this month. Whether it’s anything more than a novelty remains to be seen…

Andy Malt • 17 Apr 2024

Twitch “close” to securing major label licensing deals

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Twitch • 3 min read

Twitch “close” to securing major label licensing deals

Twitch CEO Dan Clancy has said that after years of negotiations, the live streaming platform is now “pretty close” to securing licensing deals with the major record labels for the use of their music…

Andy Malt • 15 Apr 2024