Global Radio loses appeal against Competition Commission's Real Smooth ruling
Broadcaster Global Radio failed on Friday in its bid to appeal a Competition Commission ruling on its acquisition of the Real and Smooth Radio networks.

As previously reported, Global bought the Real and Smooth stations off the Guardian Media Group last year, but various parties raised concerns about the dominance the transaction gave Global in the radio advertising domain in certain localities.

Responding to those concerns, back in May the Competition Commission told Global bosses that they would have to sell off more of the Real and Smooth outlets than they'd be allowed to keep (or offload existing Global-owned stations in the regions where the Commission shared market dominance concerns).

Although Global has been stretching media ownership rules ever since its launch in 2007, through its two big acquisitions (of the Chrysalis and Capital radio firms) and subsequent creation of quasi-national stations over its portfolio of local and regional AM and FM licences, bosses at the media firm argue that the rules being used to block their Real Smooth deal are outdated, and ignore wider competition in the modern advertising market.

Though in their appeal of the Commission's ruling, Global's case was mainly based around procedural issues, with the radio firm arguing that the competition regulator did not take reasonable steps to "acquaint itself" with information relevant to the Real Smooth deal, that it lacked evidence in some regions as to how local advertisers made buying decisions, and that it didn't do sufficient research to prove the deal would result in a "substantial" lessening of competition.

But on Friday the Competition Appeal Tribunal said it did not accept Global's arguments against the Commission's original ruling. Responding, the radio firm said it was considering its options, while adding in a statement: "Obviously this is a disappointing outcome. We share the concerns of many within our industry, who believe the basis on which the Competition Commission formed their decision to be outdated".

The ruling is a blow for Global, which has already integrated those bits of the Real and Smooth business it is allowed to keep with its other operations. Some reckon that Global will struggle to make back what it paid for the various Smooth and Real stations if and when they are sold, because as individual outlets they are less attractive than as a multi-region network.

As it issues its 50 millionth takedown request, BPI calls on Google to do more about piracy
Following the news last week that Google had so far received 200 million takedown requests this year from the intellectual property sectors, with the record industry the most prolific requester, the UK's record label trade body the BPI has confirmed it has now sent over 50 million takedown notices to the search engine, since it started routinely requesting the removal of links to copyright infringing content from the web giant's search results.

The BPI, which started issuing takedown requests to Google just two and half years ago, is apparently the first rights organisation to pass the 50 million takedowns landmark.

Numerous rights owners across the music industry are now routinely issuing takedown requests to Google and a plethora of other sites that inadvertently link to or host unlicensed content as a result of automated or user activity. The process is based on a bit of US copyright law which obliges web firms to respond to the takedown requests, and which is increasingly utilised globally.

Technology is used to speed up the takedown issuing process, and the BPI's Anti-Piracy Unit operates its own system overseen by the body's piracy chief David Wood. The trade body says that its current anti-piracy platform is actually capable of issuing more takedown notices to Google than it currently does, but the web giant sets a daily limit on how many takedowns any one organisation can submit.

Which is just one of the ways in which Google is hindering the efforts of the legit content industries, say the BPI. As previously reported, key players across the music industry have been calling on the web firm for sometime to introduce more measures to ensure legit sources of copyright content appear way above illegal sources in its search results.

Although Google has occasionally made gestures in this direction, in the main it has resisted efforts to force it to become more proactive in policing piracy, and those measures it has taken - the rights owners say - have had limited impact.

BPI boss Geoff Taylor told CMU on Friday: "Google leads consumers into a murky underworld of unlicensed sites, where they may break the law or download malware or inappropriate content, because it persistently ranks such sites above trusted legal services when consumers search for music to download".

He went on: "Google knows full well, from millions of notices and from court decisions, which sites are illegal. Yet it turns a blind eye to that information and chooses to keep on driving traffic and revenues to the online black market, ahead of legal retailers. It's time for Google to be held to the same standards of behaviour as everyone else. It has enormous power as a gatekeeper to the internet. If it won't choose to behave ethically and responsibly, it's time for governments and regulators to take action".

While it generally leads on the takedown frenzy for the UK music industry, the BPI is keen to stress that it's not just the record labels that want Google to act in this domain, and to that end reps from the Featured Artists Coalition and Musicians' Union both backed Taylor on this issue on Friday.

FAC's Crispin Hunt told CMU: "A brilliant new band that I recently worked with has just been dropped by their label because their debut EP sold barely 4000 copies. Yet the number one site on a Google search for the same EP boasts of 23,000 illegal downloads, then directs me to an online brothel, next to an advert for Nissan, as I rip the tunes. What more do I need to say?"

MU's John Smith added: "The creative industries lose around 20% of their revenue every year because of piracy and illegal downloading, and this has a knock-on effect on the future work opportunities available to MU members. Powerful organisations such as Google need to be fair to the individual creators and performers whose rights are being undermined by these illegal websites".

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Roy Harper charged with child abuse
Folk singer Roy Harper has been charged with sexually abusing a young girl between 1975 and 1977. The girl was twelve at the start of the alleged abuse.

The prolific singer-songwriter was an influence on the likes of The Smiths and Jimmy Page, with the latter guesting on his 1971 album 'Stormcock'. Harper has also recorded with Kate Bush and Pink Floyd, amongst others.

A summons was first issued by West Mercia Police, who are investigating the case, last month, though Ireland-based Harper was also questioned by officers about the allegations at Heathrow Airport back in February. He is now due in court later today.

A spokesman for West Mercia Police told reporters: "The summons relates to two counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under thirteen, three counts of indecent assault on a girl under fourteen and four counts of gross indecency with a girl under fourteen. The charges are in connection with offences alleged to have taken place in Herefordshire between 1975 and 1977 and relate to one victim".

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Pussy Riot's Tolokonnikova treated in Siberian hospital
Jailed Pussy Riot member Nadezhda Tolokonnikova is being treated in a hospital in Siberia, according to her husband.

As previously reported, Tolokonnikova was transferred out of the prison where she had been held last month, at which point her whereabouts became unclear. Russian law states that the families of prisons must be notified of the new location of any prisoner within ten days of them arriving there, though the long distances travelled can sometimes lead to fairly long periods without contact.

Earlier this month, Tolokonnikova's husband Peter Verzilov said that he had received "100% reliable" information that she had been moved to a prison in the Krasnoyarsk region of Siberia, four time zones and 2000 miles from Moscow, though was not sure of her exact location. The Pussy Riot member's family reckon the move is designed to reduce the impact of protests led by Tolokonnikova and her supporters, including her hunger strikes, over the perceived injustice in the wider case, and conditions in Russia's prisons.

Last week, Verzilov told Rolling Stone that he had finally spoken to his wife, establishing that she is now being treated in Tuberculosis Hospital No 1 in the Krasnoyarsk region. He added that she is not being treated for TB, but was simply being checked over by doctors.

"She was in good condition", Verzilov told Rolling Stone. "She said her conditions were OK, but that ... she was in very strict isolation. She's not sick right now, she's just having procedures and tests related to the hunger strike".

Where Tolokonnikova will serve the remainder of her sentence is, as yet, still unclear.

Universal and BMG owners issue financial reports
Universal Music has seen its revenues leap 21.9% to 3.4 billion euros this year compared to last, though most of that is down to its acquisition of the EMI record company at the end of September 2012. Taking EMI out of the picture, Universal's revenues for January to September this year are up a more modest 0.9%, though the summer quarter up to the end of September saw a rise of 6.7%.

Latest figures from Universal owner Vivendi also reveal that the Universal music company has now passed the 50:50 point in terms of its shift from physical to digital products, in that digital income now represents 53.9% of overall revenues, compared to 47.6% in 2012. As previously reported, though the wider record industry has passed the 50:50 point in the US and UK (and way passed it in Norway and Sweden), worldwide figures for 2012 showed the record industry still made more from CD sales overall.

Elsewhere in financial reporting, BMG owner Bertelsmann reported last week that its group-wide net profits this year were up 19% year-on-year, meaning its profits for 2013 already exceed full-year figures from 2012. As previously reported, Bertelsmann took complete ownership of its music company BMG earlier this year, though a bulk of its good fortunes in 2013 have actually come from its television business, and particularly the RTL Group, which includes the 'X-Factor' and 'Idol' making FremantleMedia.

Live Nation announces new brand partnerships joint venture in Asia
Having been busy expanding its concert promotion operations in the Asian market for sometime, live giant Live Nation is now looking to grow its sponsorship activity in the region through an alliance with London-headquartered Parallel Media Group, which has offices in Seoul and Singapore and specialises in brand partnerships in Asia. The new joint venture will be led by Parallel boss David Ciclitira.

Confirming the alliance, Live Nation chief Michael Rapino told CMU: "Having successfully grown our attendance figures in Asia, we now have the opportunity to develop high margin sponsorship opportunities in line with our established businesses in North America and Europe".

Ciclitira added: "I am looking forward to working with the Live Nation team to bring increased value to both brands and artists, as well as working with these brands to enhance the customer experience at Live Nation's events across Asia".

Google Play Music comes to iOS
Google has launched an iOS version of its Google Play Music app in Apple's App Store. This gives iOS users access to Google's digital locker and streaming services.

Back in May, Google's Sundar Pichai told AllThingsD's D11 conference that Google's music service would hit Apple devices "soon", saying then that the app was a matter of weeks away. It's possible (or rather, highly likely) that the delays arose from similarities to Apple's own music services, and the tricky issue of billing - Apple demanding 30% of all subscription payments through apps running on its devices.

It's also likely that this is the reason why you can't actually set up a new subscription with the All Access streaming service within the app. Instead, you must sign up via the Google Music website or Android app, before updating the settings in the iOS app. It's also not possible to manage the scan-and-match element of Google's digital locker within the iOS product.

If you fancy having a go on it, you can download the Google Play Music iOS app here.

ITV orders lots more X-Factor
God knows why, but ITV has gone and commissioned an extra three series apiece of its ailing (but still ratings-winning) cash cows, 'Britain's Got Talent' and 'The X-Factor'.

'X' chief Simon Cowell, whose Syco company and its production partner Fremantle Media UK entered into a new deal said to be worth £150 million last week, said: "I am thrilled that we have extended our deal with ITV for 'Britain's Got Talent' and 'The X-Factor'. They have been fantastic partners and we have some exciting new plans to take the shows to the next level".

ITV's TV boss Peter Fincham said: "'Britain's Got Talent' and 'The X-Factor' are two of the most popular and most talked about shows on TV. They set the gold standard for entertainment production. We're pleased to announce this deal which will see them continue to be an important part of ITV's schedule".

Why, Pete? Why?

Next set of music rights courses from CMU kicks off this week
The latest CMU Insights programme continues this week with the first of two courses focused on music rights. The second course follows next week.

CMU Business Editor Chris Cooke, who heads up CMU Insights, says: "With all the shifts occurring in the music industry right now, it's never been more important to understand the basics of copyright. The record industry is increasingly in the licensing business, rather than just selling records, and other parts of the sector are having to grapple with new challenges as they monetise or utilise intellectual property".

He goes on: "Which all sounds rather off-putting, but it needn't be. With our first music rights course we provide a user-friendly introduction to what copyright is, how it works, why we sometimes licence direct and sometimes collectively, and how collective licensing operates. And once you have cracked all that, our second course looks at trends in the music rights industry, and at how rights owners are protecting their rights".

A few places are still available on both these courses. Click here for information on 'Introducing Copyright & Licensing' taking place this Wednesday, 20 Nov, at 2pm in Shoreditch. And click here for information on 'Making Money From Music Rights', which takes place a week later.

Johnny Marr to write autobiography, as Moz's goes hardback
Johnny Marr is to write his own 'Autobiography', which is to say he's going to commit his life story to paper, in the form of a book. It won't be out for around two years, though, so I wouldn't hang around waiting for it.

Interviewed last week by Brooklyn Vegan, Marr said: "There is gonna be one, yeah. I've had so many offers and so many people advising me that my story is worth it, but I understand it's something that I have to do. I'll do it in the next couple of years. I'm into the stance that I want it to be so thorough that I don't make a record or tour whilst I was doing it. It is gonna happen, and I've already made an agreement with a publisher for it, so I will get it done".

Also in books-by-one-time-Smiths goings-on, Morrissey's 'Morrissey' book is now available as a hardback. And a merry Smithsmas to all.

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Wayne Coyne trying to play nice on Instagram (again)
Breaking non-news: Flaming Lip Wayne Coyne has had a third try at being on Instagram, having been twice kicked off the site for posting pics of naked women, and other Insta-banned things.

Take a cautious look at Coyne's rule-abiding third account, labelled waynewontpostpicsofnakedwomen, now if you like.

Also, having ditched the Lips' collaboration with poor Ke$ha, Coyne and co will in its place release an LP of covers from the Stone Roses eponymous first LP, featuring guest turns by Peaking Lights, Foxygen's Jonathan Rado and Poliça. That, and a toy frog USB thing carrying the band's first ever demo, as a Record Store Day special. Oh, and a chocolate skull at Christmas. Here Coyne is telling Rolling Stone those things, and others.

Release round-up: Solange, Disclosure feat Nile Rodgers, Panda Bear and Planningtorock
So, the super-cool Solange last week presented the lead in a series of 'Solange Selects' mixtapes that she's making for Spin. With one due every two months, the first edition includes FKA Twigs, Sean Nicholas Savage, Kwes and... Miley Cyrus. 'Check it' via Spin.

Next; a question. What do Disclosure, Nile Rodgers, Sam Smith and Jimmy Napes have in common? Well for one thing, a new, one-off song titled 'Together', which all four got together to write in an impromptu studio sesh. Not taken from anything in particular, it's nonetheless worth giving it a quick listen on SoundCloud.

In even bigger news (well, not really), Animal Collective's Panda Bear played a new, untitled track at the recent Pitchfork Festival Paris. And who knows, it might be off a new LP he hasn't announced yet. See a fairly decent clip a fan filmed of it here.

Finally, alt-pop androgyne Planningtorock has given up a track from her forthcoming record 'All Love's Legal', ahead of that being released on 10 Feb. It's called 'Human Drama' and is all about the concept of 'gender' being a nonsense, aka the kind of feminism I'll take over Lily Allen's brand any day. Try it out here.

Arctic Monkeys confirm big London shows
T'Arctic Monkeys are playing two open-air shows in London, come the spring.

Alex et al will celebrate their sexy new renaissance LP, 'AM', at the 50,000-capacity Finsbury Park on 23 and 24 May, joined by Tame Impala, Miles Kane and Royal Blood.

Tickets will go on sale on 22 Nov.

And now for your consideration, the video for 'AM' song 'One For The Road'.

Bieber's monkey bills remain unpaid
It's all got a bit tedious now keeping up with the wall vandalising, flag stomping and neighbour terrorising antics of top pop wanker Justin Bieber, but we're still willing to keep our eyes on earlier occurrences in the singer's shift from child pop star to childish pop diva.

And officials in Germany have told reporters that Bieber is yet to pay his invoice to cover the costs of caring for the singer's pet monkey, which comes to around 8000 euros (that's $11,000 to you, JB). As previously reported, Bieber was given a capuchin monkey called Mally for his nineteenth birthday earlier this year. But the animal was almost immediately confiscated because no one in his entourage thought about the paperwork required to fly Mally from the US into Germany.

Bieber quickly forgot his short-lived pet once it had been seized by the authorities, so that in May this year ownership of the animal was taken over by a German zoo. But there remained the costs of keeping and feeding the monkey between it being seized and ownership transferring.

German officials say they have now sent two invoices, but are yet to hear back from the singer. Confirming that a reminder was sent last week, Ellen Frederichs, attorney for Germany's Federal Agency For Nature Conservation, told Celebuzz.com this weekend: "As Mr Bieber should be informed about his payment obligations by now, we hope that he takes his responsibility and settles the costs he has caused to the public, just like anybody else would have to do".

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Mariah Carey overreacts to a thing
When she isn't likening Nicki Minaj to the very devil himself, Mariah Carey sometimes finds time to do music-type things, like releasing singles. Or, as was the case the other day, getting in a right state when one of her idiot 'minions' posts the wrong, improperly mixed version of her single on the internet.

I exaggerate. What really happened was a "brand new" sound engineer on Team Mariah, "whose only task was to press the space bar and upload the song to Facebook", duly uploaded the wrong cut of M's new track 'The Art Of Letting Go' during a playback of said song on the social network at 11am on 11/11 last week.

Apologising via FB for the cardinal sin, Carey says: "It is 3:30am, and I'm sitting on my bathroom floor, very upset by some news I just got from a close friend and employee. Lucky her, she was 'nominated' to deliver this message to me after the long awaited 11.11 moment and the Jimmy Fallon show, knowing how upset I would be. Not because the world has come to an end or something, but because this 11.11 listening party was so important to me on a core level as a musician, who cares so much about how my fans hear my music for the first time".

Instead of going to bed, she goes on: "There's no doubt in my mind that this sounds like a self absorbed diva on a 'woe-is-me' tangent about a couple of ad libs or some other triviality, but the reality is this is me, focusing solely on the record, wanting you to hear it and experience it the right way. I love and appreciate you so much for taking the time to even glance at this 20 page 'diva in distress' thesis. Thank you for letting me vent, this is another reason why Facebook rocks!"

No, it isn't. And it's like she always says: "Like I always say, I am involved with every record I make, from the inception to the completion of the song. Every nuance of the beat or vocal matters to me. Even if the differences may seem slight to you, I had put time, effort and emotions into 'The Art of Letting Go' and the real mix is how I intended for you to hear the song".

The engineer has since been put to death, by the way.

Listen to both versions of the song side-by-side here.