CMU | the music business explained (Page 11)

Budweiser boasts of “$0 spent on music rights” in “iconic songs” campaign, wins ad-land’s biggest prize

EU regulators formally launch investigation into Universal Music’s Downtown deal

Did Sony’s Rob Stringer just hand regulators the case to tank Universal’s Downtown dreams?

Ticketmaster offered touts meetings with Live Nation’s top lawyer

Don’t gaslight MPs warns Caroline Dinenage as she says ministers have got into a “terrible pickle” over AI

As another festival falls, AIF proposes new tax relief scheme

Major labels face setback as Trump’s pet DOJ legal beagle sides with Cox in piracy battle

We are just another victim in the shameful lineage of Apple intimidation and bullying, cries Musi

SoundCloud’s amended AI clause still “fundamentally terrible for artists” says Ed Newton-Rex

Guardrails aren’t proof of infringement says Anthropic as judge spanks AI company for “hallucinated” filin

Drake’s Super Bowl gripes in amended lawsuit show defamation action is really an attack on Kendrick Lamar’s success, says Universal

“I just don't understand how that can be fair use”, says judge in Meta AI trial

Pressure mounts for Universal Music Group’s $775 million Downtown acquisition as MEP highlights UMG’s “unprecedented control” of music ecosystem

Suno AI’s faulty guardrails mean its ‘ReMi’ lyric model will spit out entire lyrical works with basic prompting

Did Ticketmaster’s UK boss Andrew Parsons mislead MPs at a select committee hearing?

With the US record industry officially in recession can superpremium and superfans really save the major labels from streaming’s slowdown?

Record industry’s modest growth should make other industries jealous says IFPI boss, as labels weigh in on growth opportunities and AI threats

Trump must “weigh in” on AI copyright debate and pressure “less innovative countries” on copyright rules, says OpenAI

Everyone’s making loads of money but don’t point the finger at us if you’re not, says Spotify’s updated Loud & Clear

Andrew Tate course on ‘pimping’ and exploiting women remains on Spotify as petition passes 25,000 signatures

Universal will spend billions to dominate emerging markets, says Grainge during Q4 earnings call as major sets out its “eat the world” strategies

Liverpool “new heart of music business” says Sound City as major label execs and industry heavyweights head north

Live Nation boss dismissive of streaming platforms’ superfan ambitions as company reports record year

Spotify wants to be “the best in the world at building AI products” and is focused on “accelerated execution”... but still no super-premium launch

Judge throws out MLC’s audiobooks bundle lawsuit, says Spotify can keep cutting songwriter royalties through its “cynical trick”

Universal Music’s new Spotify deal could be a knock-out blow for streaming platform’s audiobook bundling trick

Universal put “corporate greed” before Drake’s safety, says defamation lawsuit filed over Kendrick Lamar diss track

Beware the “wolf under the cape” in Universal’s Downtown land grab, warns Beggars boss as IMPALA calls for regulators to block the deal

EU AI Act can only provide a “temporary fix” to the “darker aspect” of AI’s “profound disruption” to creative industries says open letter

AI generated music will suck €4 billion a year away from music creators by 2028 says CISAC

Village People founder loves Trump using YMCA, but hates people calling it a gay anthem

Executives from BMG, Absolute Label Services, Mahogany Music, Punch Records and more to join award winning female entrepreneurs in Liverpool as first Sound City+ 2025 speakers unveiled

AIF makes desperate call for government to “step up, and step up now” to get festivals through “devastating period”, as MVT launches new Liveline fund

New AI transparency proposal in US Congress will “pave the way” for creator compensation says ASCAP boss

SXSW ditches weapons sponsors to burnish brand - so why won’t it ditch its ties to Saudi Arabia?

SXSW London could disrupt delicately balanced music ecosystem and should reconsider its date

Cox Communications • 5 min read

Major labels face setback as Trump’s pet DOJ legal beagle sides with Cox in piracy battle

Trump’s Solicitor General D John Sauer has backed Cox Communications’ bid for a Supreme Court review of its lawsuit with the majors, arguing that the ruling breaks 40 years of precedent and could force ISPs to cut internet access for Americans based on a single copyright complaint…

Chris Cooke • 29 May 2025

Kneecap • 2 min read

TRNSMT pulls Kneecap performance over “safety concerns”

Glasgow’s TRNSMT festival has pulled Kneecap from its line-up. While promoter DF Concerts has been under political pressure to cancel the group’s set ever since their Coachella performance, a statement says they were removed because local police expressed concern about safety if the group performed…

Chris Cooke • 29 May 2025

CMU Approved • 1 min read

🎧 Approved: Nina Cobham

Nina Cobham is a Manchester-based artist blending English indie pop with gentle bossa nova, shaped by her bilingual upbringing. New single ‘I’m The Problem’ pairs soft, airy vocals with an undercurrent of frustration; a quietly powerful moment of clarity…

Kaya Robertson • 29 May 2025

Apple • 3 min read

We are just another victim in the shameful lineage of Apple intimidation and bullying, cries Musi

Music app Musi has filed new papers in its ongoing bid to get reinstated to Apple’s App Store. Apple recently said Musi and its lawyers should be sanctioned by the court for making already disproven claims in an amended lawsuit. Musi has hit back arguing that it’s Apple that should be sanctioned…

Chris Cooke • 28 May 2025

Wannasee Ltd • 2 min read

Ten UK music festivals cancelled following collapse of Wannasee Ltd

Festivals company Wannasee Ltd has collapsed citing a “difficult trading environment” and a sudden decline in “customer confidence”. It means ten UK festivals due to take place this summer are now cancelled, while the future of two other events depends on ongoing negotiations behind-the-scenes…

Chris Cooke • 28 May 2025

Brockwell Live • 5 min read

Lambeth Council magics up new paperwork in Brockwell Live spat, but NIMBYs are still not satisfied

Festivals were able to go ahead in London’s Brockwell Park this weekend after Lambeth Council issued a new certificate saying the events could legally proceed, even though a judge cancelled a previous certificate. Local residents say they will continue to fight the council over the festivals…

Chris Cooke • 27 May 2025

Kneecap • 4 min read

“Israeli lobbyists” want Kneecap shut out of Glasto, says band

Kneecap headlined Wide Awake on Friday, two days after one band member was charged with a terror offence for implying support for Hezbollah at a 2024 gig. The group was as outspoken as ever, insisting that “Israeli lobbyists” are trying to stop them from speaking out about the conflict in Gaza…

Chris Cooke • 27 May 2025

CMU Approved • 1 min read

🎧 Approved: Prince 85

Elusive producer behind The Weeknd, Metro Boomin, Future and more, Prince 85 blends French Touch, rave and sci-fi soundscapes into something strange and cinematic. It's latest single ‘All Of Us’ is a wild, otherworldly ride…

Kaya Robertson • 27 May 2025

Apple • 2 min read

Forced change to Apple App Store rules has resulted in more Spotify Premium sign-ups

A US court has agreed to fast-track Apple’s appeal of an injunction that forces it to allow developers to link to external payment options from within their apps, but declined to pause the injunction in the short term. Spotify says the injunction has already resulted in an uplift in premium sign-ups…

Chris Cooke • 23 May 2025

US Copyright Office • 3 min read

Sacked Copyright Office boss sues Donald Trump

Dramas continue at the US Copyright Office where boss Shira Perlmutter was sacked by Donald Trump earlier this month just after her team published a report on AI and fair use. She has now sued Trump arguing he didn’t have the power to remove her from her post…

Chris Cooke • 23 May 2025

EU Artificial Intelligence Act • 5 min read

ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus and country star Martina McBride lead transatlantic creator fightback as AI companies face legislative squeeze

This week saw coordinated creator lobbying in Brussels and Washington as the EU battles over AI Act implementation while the US considers new deepfake protections. Even YouTube is backing federal regulation, suggesting the tide may finally be turning…

Chris Cooke • 22 May 2025

Kneecap • 3 min read

Kneecap threaten to sue industry execs urging festivals to cancel their sets, as band member charged over Hezbollah flag

A member of Kneecap has been charged with a terrorist offence over allegations he expressed support for Hezbollah, a proscribed terrorist group, at a gig last year. It comes as the group’s lawyers threaten legal action against industry execs seeking to get them removed from the Glastonbury line-up…

Chris Cooke • 22 May 2025