CMU Digest

CMU Digest 08.09.17: YouTube-mp3, Warner, Facebook, Hope & Glory, Toni Basil, Spotify

By | Published on Friday 8 September 2017

YouTube-mp3.org

The key stories from the last seven days in the music business…

The operator of YouTube-mp3 agreed to shut the popular stream-ripping site down to settle legal action filed last year by the Recording Industry Association Of America. Philip Matesanz also committed to not get involved in any other copyright infringing activities. Stream-ripping – converting a temporary stream into a permanent download – is now at the top of the music industry’s piracy agenda, and YouTube-mp3 was the biggest provider of the service. [READ MORE]

Warner reportedly signed a new deal with Apple covering both the iTunes store and Apple Music. It’s the first contract renewal since Apple launched its streaming service. In line with the new deals recently finalised between the labels and Spotify, it is thought Warner has agreed to slightly lower its revenue share arrangement with Apple Music in return for commitments on growth and some data and marketing kickbacks. [READ MORE]

It was reported that Facebook is now offering labels and publishers hundreds of millions in advances to speed through licensing deals. The social network needs licences to cover the music that appears in videos users upload to its platform. Facebook is still busy developing its rights management technology and working out its model for sharing ad income with content creators, but reportedly hopes that it can get initial test deals in place with the music industry by offering mega-bucks advances. [READ MORE]

The company behind the failed Liverpool music festival Hope & Glory entered liquidation. The inaugural Hope & Glory event was called off half way through after delays, queues and over-crowding marred day one. Liquidators confirmed that the Hope & Glory company had now collapsed owing nearly £890,000 to 32 creditors, including Liverpool City Council. Ticketing firms Eventbrite and Skiddle have already refunded ticket monies despite having paid over significant sums to the festival’s promoter prior to the event, advances they seem unlikely to now get back. [READ MORE]

Toni Basil sued the music company that claims to own the rights to her hit ‘Mickey’ over the use of the record in various TV programmes and adverts. Basil’s lawsuit argues that her original record contract gave her a veto over sync deals, but that she hadn’t been consulted about this use of her track. Some of the firms who had synced the record are also named as defendants in the case. [READ MORE]

Spotify appointed former MTV and Maker Studios exec Courtney Holt to run its video and podcast operations. He replaces former VH1 exec Tom Calderone, who spearheaded the streaming firm’s move into original video content. It’s thought Spotify will refocus its video efforts moving forward, mainly creating video content around its more popular playlist brands. [READ MORE]

The big deals from the last seven days in the music business…
• MQA announced an alliance with Deezer [INFO]
• Eventbrite completed its acquisition of Ticketfly [INFO]



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