Chris Cooke - CMU | the music business explained

Universal says “general intent” of Congress has no relevance to Salt N Pepa termination rights battle

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Salt N Pepa • 3 min read

Universal says “general intent” of Congress has no relevance to Salt N Pepa termination rights battle

Universal has responded to Salt N Pepa’s appeal in their ongoing termination rights dispute. The rappers are trying to reclaim rights in their 1980s recordings. Universal insists the termination right in US law does not apply and arguments based on the general intent of US Congress are not relevant…

Chris Cooke • 06 May 2026

Keir Starmer told to “put fans first” by including touting ban in next week’s King’s Speech

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Live industry news including ticketing, venues, festivals and more • 2 min read

Keir Starmer told to “put fans first” by including touting ban in next week’s King’s Speech

The FanFair Alliance has again called on UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to properly include legislation to outlaw for-profit ticket touting in next week’s King’s Speech. Reports suggest a touting ban might get a mention as a ‘draft bill’, but that will mean further delays in making the ban law…

Chris Cooke • 06 May 2026

Kid Cudi kicks MIA off his tour after fans boo her for on-stage comments

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MIA • 2 min read

Kid Cudi kicks MIA off his tour after fans boo her for on-stage comments

MIA has been axed from Kid Cudi’s current ‘Rebel Ragers Tour’ after being booed by fans who disapproved of her on-stage comments at a show in Dallas this weekend. In a statement confirming MIA’s axing, Kid Cudi says “I won’t have someone on my tour making offensive remarks that upsets my fanbase”…

Chris Cooke • 05 May 2026

Music industry welcomes inclusion of AI concerns in US government’s latest piracy report

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Artificial Intelligence • 3 min read

Music industry welcomes inclusion of AI concerns in US government’s latest piracy report

The US government has published its annual report on global IP concerns, adding a short section on AI, much to the delight of the music industry. The report also notes that a proposal in India to introduce statutory licensing for AI training “has raised deep concerns” among US rightsholders…

Chris Cooke • 05 May 2026

YouTube to let video creators swap out Content ID tracks for royalty-free AI substitutes

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YouTube • 2 min read

YouTube to let video creators swap out Content ID tracks for royalty-free AI substitutes

A new feature on YouTube will make it easy for video creators dealing with Content ID copyright claims to replace copyright protected music in their videos with royalty free AI-generated instrumentals. Innovations like this could negatively impact on YouTuber-centric production music companies…

Chris Cooke • 05 May 2026

BBC moves Radio 2 festival to avoid negatively impacting other Scottish summer events

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BBC • 2 min read

BBC moves Radio 2 festival to avoid negatively impacting other Scottish summer events

Earlier this year the BBC announced that its Radio 2 In The Park festival would take place in Stirling in August. But now it’s happening in September, after concerns the arrival of a big BBC event would negatively impact on other festivals taking place in Scotland in July and August…

Chris Cooke • 01 May 2026

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Bob Vylan • 2 min read

Shindig Festival faces last minute licence review after public safety concerns expressed about headliner Bob Vylan

Wiltshire Council will be reviewing the events licence it has issued to the Shindig Festival just days before this year’s edition takes place in May after an unknown person formally raised concerns that this year’s headliner, Bob Vylan, could cause crime, disorder and public safety concerns…

Chris Cooke • 01 May 2026

Anthropic’s supporters tell court “novel” fair use arguments put forward by music publishers are “unconstitutional”

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Anthropic • 4 min read

Anthropic’s supporters tell court “novel” fair use arguments put forward by music publishers are “unconstitutional”

The music industry has evolved its copyright arguments as to why AI training is not fair use under US law. But are those new arguments valid? Supporters of AI company Anthropic, which has been sued by a group of music publishers, say the revised arguments are novel, flawed and unconstitutional…

Chris Cooke • 30 Apr 2026

Sony Music wins copyright and performer rights battle with the estates of Jimi Hendrix’s bandmates

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Jimi Hendrix Experience • 5 min read

Sony Music wins copyright and performer rights battle with the estates of Jimi Hendrix’s bandmates

Sony has won its legal battle with the estates of Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell, both members of The Jimi Hendrix Experience. The estates said Sony was infringing the late musicians’ rights by distributing the band’s recordings, but the high court says - based on a 1966 agreement - that’s not true…

Chris Cooke • 29 Apr 2026

UK government should clarify whether it’s investing in AI companies that use unlicensed training data, say campaigners

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Artificial Intelligence • 3 min read

UK government should clarify whether it’s investing in AI companies that use unlicensed training data, say campaigners

The UK government has set up a Sovereign AI Unit to support British AI companies. But it’s not clear if supported companies are obliged to get licences for any copyright protected works used in AI training. That’s a problem and a missed opportunity according to House Of Lords member Beeban Kidron…

Chris Cooke • 29 Apr 2026

Taylor Swift seeks to trademark her voice to combat AI clones

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Taylor Swift • 4 min read

Taylor Swift seeks to trademark her voice to combat AI clones

Taylor Swift is seeking to trademark her voice and likeness, seemingly following Matthew McConaughey’s lead in using trademark law to protect against unapproved AI voice clones. Trademark is one of various ways that artists may be able to protect their interests when it comes to digital replicas…

Chris Cooke • 28 Apr 2026

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BMG • 2 min read

BMG and Concord confirm merger

BMG and Concord have confirmed they are merging, stating that - by combining - they will be able to invest more in talent, reach and technology. The combined business will be called BMG, but will be run by current Concord boss Bob Valentine and will use the Concord brand for its recordings division…

Chris Cooke • 28 Apr 2026