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Setlist Podcast: Hipgnosis v Hipgnosis - the saga continues…
The big Hipgnosis bidding war, the Co-op Live arena's struggles to open, and more…
Chris Cooke
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Co-op Live’s opening week woes continue
Manchester’s new Co-op Live venue won’t open this weekend after all. A Black Keys show set to take place on Saturday has now been pushed back, as have two Peter Kay performances, which had already been rescheduled. Amid all the chaos, it was also announced that GM Gary Roden has resigned…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Drake threatened with legal action over AI Tupac in Kendrick diss track
The Tupac estate has hit out at Drake over a Kendrick Lamar diss track that includes a verse delivered by an AI-generated Tupac vocal clone. Drake has been told to pull down the track or the estate will “pursue all of its legal remedies”…
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Indie publishers criticise digital platforms that “do not pay fair value for the music” in Global Music View
IMPF, the global trade group for independent publishers, has launched its annual market review, reporting that indies accounted for 26.7% of publishing sector revenues in 2022. It also sets out some key priorities and grievances for the publishers, including around AI, digital platforms and buy-outs…
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Megan Thee Stallion sued by former employee over allegations of hostile work environment
Megan Thee Stallion’s former persona cameraman has sued the rapper over her conduct while employing him - including having sex in front of him and making “fat-shaming” remarks. He also says he was improperly classified as an independent contractor, and was fired when he raised his concerns…
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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…
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Astroworld lawyers want access to more of Travis Scott's text messages
With the first lawsuits due to get to trial next month, lawyers working for victims of the Astroworld tragedy are trying to get access to more texts and messages sent by the festival’s founder Travis Scott, arguing that the amount of communications shared so far is “inadequate”…
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Amazon AI employee claims she was told to breach copyright rules because “everyone else is doing it”
An AI researcher who worked for Amazon is suing the company over allegations of harassment and unlawful dismissal - and in her lawsuit she claims that she was told it was fine to breach copyright rules when developing AI models in order to keep up with competitors…
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TikTok battling regulators and lawmakers in both EU and US
TikTok is facing new legal battles in both the EU and the US. EU officials say TikTok may have breached the Digital Services Act by launching TikTok Lite and its rewards programme without the required risk assessment. In the US, TikTok’s lawyers are prepping to fight a proposed ban in the courts…