Chris Cooke - CMU | the music business explained (Page 38)

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

Russell Simmons says 1997 agreement bars new sexual assault lawsuit

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Russell Simmons • 2 min read

Russell Simmons says 1997 agreement bars new sexual assault lawsuit

A lawyer for Russell Simmons has argued that a former Def Jam employee who accused him of sexual assault cannot sue him due to a 1997 settlement. His accuser’s legal rep said that they were not aware of any such agreement…

Chris Cooke • 17 Apr 2024

Astroworld lawyers argue “this event was Travis Scott’s festival” as judge considers musician’s motion for dismissal

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Astroworld • 2 min read

Astroworld lawyers argue “this event was Travis Scott’s festival” as judge considers musician’s motion for dismissal

The judge overseeing the Astroworld litigation yesterday considered more motions for dismissal from defendants that want to be removed from the lawsuits that were filed in the wake of the crowd surge tragedy at the festival’s 2021 edition. That includes festival founder and headliner Travis Scott…

Chris Cooke • 16 Apr 2024

Live Nation could be facing antitrust lawsuit from US government as soon as next month

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Live Nation • 2 min read

Live Nation could be facing antitrust lawsuit from US government as soon as next month

The market dominance of Live Nation and Ticketmaster - already in the spotlight in American political circles - could also be scrutinised in court with the news that the US Department Of Justice is planning on filing an antitrust lawsuit against the live giant, maybe as soon as next month…

Chris Cooke • 16 Apr 2024

Apple says it is compliant with App Store injunction, judge should reject Epic's latest objections

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Apple • 2 min read

Apple says it is compliant with App Store injunction, judge should reject Epic's latest objections

The US legal battle led by Epic Games over Apple’s App Store rules continues. Epic argues that Apple has failed to properly comply with a court order that forced it to change its rules around sign-posting alternative payment options within an app. In a new filing, Apple denies that claim…

Chris Cooke • 16 Apr 2024

Endeavor shareholders goes legal over proposed $13 billion deal to take the business private

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WME • 1 min read

Endeavor shareholders goes legal over proposed $13 billion deal to take the business private

Earlier this month the owner of the WME talent agency, Endeavor Group Holdings, announced a plan to delist from the New York Stock Exchange via a deal led by its biggest shareholder Silver Lake Capital. However, another investor is now seeking to block that plan through the US courts…

Chris Cooke • 16 Apr 2024

Viagogo boss does the UK media rounds, insists touting price cap won't work

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Viagogo • 4 min read

Viagogo boss does the UK media rounds, insists touting price cap won't work

The boss of Viagogo spoke to UK media last week insisting that the Labour Party’s plan to introduce a price cap on ticket touting won’t work. It won’t work for Viagogo, of course, but Cris Miller argues it will also result in an increase in ticket fraud, a claim anti-touting campaign FanFair denies…

Chris Cooke • 15 Apr 2024

Universal seeks dismissal from another Diddy lawsuit

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Universal Music • 2 min read

Universal seeks dismissal from another Diddy lawsuit

A lawsuit filed under New York’s Adult Survivors Act accusing Diddy of sexual assault named Universal Music as a defendant. In a new filing, the major disputes that it had the necessary connection to Diddy to be liable, and also argues that the lawsuit doesn’t even qualify under the ASA…

Chris Cooke • 15 Apr 2024

SAG-AFTRA says “clear and conspicuous consent” required for vocal clones as part of “groundbreaking” new agreement with labels

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AI • 2 min read

SAG-AFTRA says “clear and conspicuous consent” required for vocal clones as part of “groundbreaking” new agreement with labels

The major labels have made a number of commitments around AI to artist and musician members of US performer union SAG-AFTRA via a new code of fair practice. They are, says artist manager, Irving Azoff, “a great first step to make sure artists have creative control and get paid”…

Chris Cooke • 15 Apr 2024

Universal relaxes TikTok boycott - but only if your name is Taylor Swift

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Taylor Swift • 2 min read

Universal relaxes TikTok boycott - but only if your name is Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift has a new album to promote and would presumably like her fans to help by posting TikTok videos aplenty. But she works with Universal Music, which is boycotting TikTok. Worry not, however, because Universal’s big boycott no longer applies to Swift…

Chris Cooke • 12 Apr 2024

⏩ One Liners: Dua Lipa, Drake, Lisa + more

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One Liners - quickfire news from the music business • 3 min read

⏩ One Liners: Dua Lipa, Drake, Lisa + more

Lisa, Maeta deals; Drake removed from Astroworld litigation; Warner Music South Asia launches; PRS Foundation’s Early Career Promotion Fund; new music from Dua Lipa, Perrie, Zayn, Mimi Web, Kasabian, Nick Cave, Kerry King, Bugzy Malone, Dagny, Charlotte De Witte, Darkthrone, Joe & The Shitboys, UTO…

Andy Malt & Chris Cooke • 12 Apr 2024

Superstruct owner could start taking bids for the company this month

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Superstruct Entertainment • 1 min read

Superstruct owner could start taking bids for the company this month

Superstruct, which operates festivals including Sonar, Benicàssim, Bluedot and Boardmasters, is up for sale - with current owner Providence reportedly getting ready to take bids for the company. Investment funds Blackstone, CVC, KKR and EQT could be among those who make a bid…

Chris Cooke • 12 Apr 2024