LEGAL
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The proposed acquisition of audio software business Serato by AlphaTheta, Pioneer DJās parent company, has been blocked by the New Zealand Commerce Commission. The regulatory body cited concerns that the merger would substantially lessen competition in the DJ software market, potentially leading to higher prices and reduced quality for consumers. This decision follows similar concerns raised by the UKās Competition and Markets Authority earlier this year, which warned the deal could āreduce innovation, choice and access to DJ equipment and softwareā. AlphaTheta CEO Yoshinori Kataoka says, āWe disagree with and are disappointed by the ruling of the New Zealand Commerce Commission against the acquisition. We believe that the proposed agreement would have accelerated our combined ability to deliver incredible products to DJs and producers around the worldā.
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Priscilla Presley has filed a lawsuit against four former business associates, accusing them of financial elder abuse and allegedly swindling her out of over $1 million, as well as rights to her name and likeness. The suit, filed on Thursday, claims that Brigitte Kruse, Kevin Fialko, Vahe Sislyan and Lynn Walker Wright āmeticulously plannedā to isolate Presley and gain control of her finances. Presleyās attorney, Marty Singer, alleges that the defendants āfraudulentlyā had Presley sign contracts giving them 80% of her income, as well as rights to her name and likeness. The lawsuit asserts that these contracts would have given the defendants control over Presleyās public appearances and merchandising deals related to her connection to Elvis Presley. The legal action comes just months after Kruse and Fialko filed their own breach of contract suit against Presley in February. After TMZ broke the story of Presleyās lawsuit, Kruseās legal team told the publication, āWe cannot respond because counsel has not been served with a copy of the lawsuit. We have alerted Ms Presley's attorneys that we do not have a copy of this filing but they have not respondedā.
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Former Atomic Kitten singer Kerry Katona has responded to news that her ex-accountant, David Williams, also known as David McHugh, has pleaded guilty to multiple fraud charges in Dublin. Katona states, āI lost everything because of this man con artist!ā Williams, who managed Katonaās finances fifteen years ago, faces sentencing in October for deception and falsely operating as an insolvency practitioner and barrister. The case follows a āvastā investigation by the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau into allegations that Williams charged ā¬1.2m to 1500 clients for unauthorised legal services. Katona previously accused Williams of financial mismanagement, leading to her first bankruptcy, saying, āThis accountant had been sifting my money and sending me letters saying āThat's been paidā and none of it had been paidā.
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DJ Ron Trent has publicly accused booking agent Darren James-Thomas of fraud in an Instagram post, stating that James-Thomas āhad been fraudulently booking festivals in my name and collected several payments without my authorisationā. The Chicago house legend claims James-Thomas, who founded The Unknown Agency in September 2023, owes him tens of thousands of dollars for unauthorised bookings at festivals including Dekmantel. Trentās team says that it has reported the fraud to the UKās Action Fraud agency and is pursuing legal action. Dekmantelās David Cornelissen confirmed they paid James-Thomas in full for a summer 2024 booking, saying āOur entire industry relies on mutual goodwill, cooperation and trustworthiness. In my ten years in this field, I've never encountered a situation like this beforeā.
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Moonbug Entertainment, creators of the popular childrenās YouTube channel CoComelon, has requested an additional $7.5 million from Chinese rival BabyBus following their $23.4 million copyright trial victory last year. During a hearing in San Francisco federal court, Moonbugās lawyer Ryan Tyz argued for $6.5 million in attorney fees and costs, plus $1 million for BabyBusās litigation misconduct, which included falsifying an image to support their defence. The jury previously found BabyBus had willfully infringed on 39 of 42 CoComelon characters and plot devices, awarding Moonbug $5.85 million in statutory damages, $4.1 million in direct damages and $13.5 million in profits. BabyBusās lawyer Sam Stake cautioned against āoverdeterrenceā, noting the company's total US revenue from the infringing content was only $17.3 million. Judge Edward M Chen has taken the matter under submission, with BabyBus having filed an appeal with the Ninth Circuit.
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The legal battle between Epic Games and Apple over App Store payment policies continues to escalate, with Epic accusing Apple of āstrategic delayā in producing court-ordered documents. In a joint statement to a California federal court, Epic criticised Appleās request for a six month document production timeline, up from an initial three month estimate. Epic argues this information is crucial to determine if Apple has complied with US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogersā 2021 injunction allowing developers of iOS apps to direct users to external payment options. Epicās lawyer Gary A Bornstein stated: āDocuments reflecting whether and how Apple monitored external purchase link adoption (or lack thereof) after 16 Jan 2024, and how Apple reacted to that lack of adoption, are clearly relevant to Appleās decision-making process with respect to injunction complianceā. Apple maintains its compliance hasn't changed since 16 Jan 2024, and defends its extended timeline, citing the āmassive document collectionā required.
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A failed 2016 concert series featuring R Kelly at Foxwoods Resort Casino has resulted in a $897,000 settlement between investor Tourbook LLC and promoter Commission Touring LLC. The Connecticut state court settlement stems from a complex financial dispute that began when Commission Touring defaulted on a $1.6 million credit agreement to finance the shows. Tourbook initially won a $650,000 settlement in New York in December 2021, but sued again when Commission Touring failed to pay. The original deal collapsed in November 2016 when Commission Touring reportedly defaulted on payments and failed to share ticket sales revenue. R Kelly is currently serving a 30 year jail sentence after being found guilty of sexual abuse, sex trafficking and racketeering following two criminal trials, in New York and Chicago.
LIVE BUSINESS
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UK drug harm reduction organisation The Loop has expanded its educational outreach with a new series of online training courses beginning on 30 July. Known for their drug checking services at music festivals and community settings, The Loop is now offering fourteen different courses covering current drug market trends, substance-specific deep dives and harm reduction strategies. Topics range from āThe Drug Market In 2024ā to sessions on MDMA, ketamine and nitazenes. This initiative aims to broaden access to evidence-based drug information and aligns with The Loopās mission to provide non-judgmental, accessible services nationwide.
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Festival Creamfields has launched Cleanfields, a comprehensive three year sustainability plan for its 600-acre festival site, in partnership with betternotstop. The initiative introduces a dedicated campsite, recycling incentives, and a pledge encouraging attendees to keep the site clean and take their tents home. A Creamfields spokesperson states, āThis year's Cleanfields initiative is not just a plan; it's a call to action for the entire dance music community. Letās come together, enjoy the music and make a positive impact on our planetā. The plan also focuses on dispelling myths about tent recycling and promotes sustainable travel options, including a fifteen year partnership with Big Green Coach.
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Eastern Margins will present Margins United, a new festival celebrating East and South East Asian culture, on 28 Sep at EartH Hackney in London. The twelve hour event, supported by the Arts Council, will feature music, visual art, food, installations, talks and workshops. Highlights include the UK debut of Philippine cult hero DJ Love, singer Soo Joo's first UK performance, and sets from beatmaker Onra, Malaysian artist Shelhiel and R&B star No Rome. Founded in 2018, Eastern Margins has become a key platform for promoting East and South Asian music and culture, curating events nationwide and hosting a stage at Glastonbury.
OTHER INDUSTRY NEWS
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A widespread IT outage linked to a CrowdStrike software update has impacted various companies in the music industry, as well as a number of broadcasters. Popular digital audio workstations BandLab and FL Studio experienced downtime - FL Studio is apparently also currently suffering the effects of a DDoS attack. The issue also impacted television and radio, with Sky News experiencing intermittent outages and Isle of Wight Radio unable to broadcast live.
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YouTube's Foundry programme, an incubator for independent music artists, has relaunched with its first three artists of 2024: Cash Cobain, Orion Sun and Tommy Richman. The revamped programme includes new initiatives such as Foundry music nights, enhanced resources for artists, and increased promotional support. Cash Cobain, known for pioneering āsample drillā, says, āI'm honoured to be the newest member of the Foundry programmeā. Orion Sun, who has collaborated with Daniel Caesar and Fred Again.., states, āYouTube is its own planet and I love it there!ā Tommy Richman, whose single āMILLION DOLLAR BABYā recently topped charts, adds, āI'm honoured to be a part of the Foundry, itās things like this that are building the new age of what it means to be a musicianā.
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The Record Plant, a Hollywood recording studio infamous for its rock n roll excess, is shutting down after 55 years. Opened in 1969 by Chris Stone and Gary Kellgren, the facility once boasted hotel suites, a hot tub āfor wives, girlfriends and groupiesā, waterbeds and even bondage gear. Speaking to LA Magazine, agent Richard Kraft says, āI always imagined decades-old cocaine embedded in the music fadersā. The studioās closure follows a broader industry trend, with engineer Gary Myerberg noting, āIf you want to go to the studio and spend $2000 a day, just take that and buy a laptop and a sample library or tell AI what song you want to make and itāll make itā.
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BRITs Week 24 for War Child raised Ā£430,000 from thirteen shows held across the UK in February and March, bringing the total raised since 2009 to over Ā£7.4 million. The concert series featured performances by artists including Keane, Aitch and The Last Dinner Party, with all proceeds supporting War Childās work with children affected by conflict. Clare Sanders-Wright, Live Music Lead at War Child, says, āWe would like to say a huge thank you to all our partners, the artists, and everyone who bought a ticket to BRITs Week 2024. War Childās work is needed now more than ever, and the money raised will significantly impact the lives of thousands of childrenā.
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Sky has announced the inaugural Sky Arts Awards, set to take place on 17 Sep at The Roundhouse in London, celebrating excellence across all arts disciplines in British and Irish culture, including categories for classical music, popular music and opera. The awards, which will be broadcast live on Sky Arts, feature a new 'Arts Hero' category to honour unsung behind-the-scenes contributors. Phil Edgar-Jones, Director of Sky Arts, says, āThe Sky Arts Awards showcases the remarkable contributions of individuals and organisations across the arts sector. We believe itās important to celebrate not only the performers and artists but also the countless unsung heroesā.