Copyright - CMU | the music business explained

Ed Sheeran song-theft case should be reconsidered because of fishy Supreme Court ruling, says SAS

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Ed Sheeran • 3 min read

Ed Sheeran song-theft case should be reconsidered because of fishy Supreme Court ruling, says SAS

The Second Circuit Appeals Court recently ruled that Ed Sheeran’s ‘Thinking Out Loud’ doesn’t rip off Marvin Gaye’s ‘Let’s Get It On’. But the company involved in that lawsuit says a recent US Supreme Court ruling impacts on a copyright technicality that could change that judgement…

Chris Cooke • 20 Nov 2024

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GEMA • 3 min read

GEMA sues OpenAI

German collecting society GEMA has sued OpenAI for copyright infringement, saying generative AI poses “fundamental legal questions that we absolutely must clarify” through litigation. It’s the first music industry lawsuit against an AI company within Europe rather than the US…

Chris Cooke • 13 Nov 2024

Major labels vs ISPs rumbles on as labels ask appeals court to reconsider latest Grande ruling

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Grande Communications • 3 min read

Major labels vs ISPs rumbles on as labels ask appeals court to reconsider latest Grande ruling

A US appeals court recently upheld a copyright ruling secured against Grande Communications by the major labels. However, it also ordered for the ISP’s damages bill to be recalculated in a way that would mean the labels get less cash. The majors want that element of the decision to be reconsidered…

Chris Cooke • 12 Nov 2024

Cox again urges Supreme Court to review major label dispute, to stop “innocent users” losing internet access because “a guest downloaded a couple of songs”

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Cox Communications • 3 min read

Cox again urges Supreme Court to review major label dispute, to stop “innocent users” losing internet access because “a guest downloaded a couple of songs”

Cox Communications has made another filing with the US Supreme Court, which it wants to intervene in its billion dollar legal dispute with the major record companies. Much of the submission deals with legal technicalities, but it also makes some bombastic ‘save the internet’ type statements…

Chris Cooke • 06 Nov 2024

Universal Music claims Believe has built its business on “industrial-scale copyright infringement” and wants $500 million

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Believe • 3 min read

Universal Music claims Believe has built its business on “industrial-scale copyright infringement” and wants $500 million

Universal Music has filed a bombastic $500 million lawsuit against Believe accusing it of facilitating rampant copyright infringement by allowing fraudsters to illegally deliver tracks owned by the major to the streaming services, claiming royalties when those uploads are streamed…

Chris Cooke • 05 Nov 2024

Another court says that Ed Sheeran’s ‘Thinking Out Loud’ is not a ‘Let's Get It On’ rip off

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Ed Sheeran • 3 min read

Another court says that Ed Sheeran’s ‘Thinking Out Loud’ is not a ‘Let's Get It On’ rip off

Ed Sheeran has again defeated a legal claim that his hit ‘Thinking Out Loud’ rips off Marvin Gaye’s ‘Let’s Get It On’. A jury sided with Sheeran on this claim in May 2023, but a second lawsuit was filed by a company with an interest in Gaye’s song. That second lawsuit was dismissed and then appealed…

Chris Cooke • 04 Nov 2024

Parliament’s culture committee chair urges ministers to not put “flawed” AI copyright exception back on the agenda

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AI • 3 min read

Parliament’s culture committee chair urges ministers to not put “flawed” AI copyright exception back on the agenda

There has been speculation that the UK government might be considering introducing a new copyright exception for AI companies, something the last government proposed and then rejected. Caroline Dinenage MP, Chair of Parliament’s culture committee, has written to ministers opposing any such plan…

Chris Cooke • 15 Oct 2024

Caroline Dinenage MP writes to Lisa Nandy amid reports government may be considering a text and data mining AI copyright exception

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Caroline Dinenage MP • 1 min read

Caroline Dinenage MP writes to Lisa Nandy amid reports government may be considering a text and data mining AI copyright exception

Caroline Dinenage MP, Chair of Parliament’s culture committee, has written to ministers following reports that the new UK government might be considering introducing a text and data mining copyright exception that could be utlised by AI companies, a move the last government proposed and then dropped…

CMU • 14 Oct 2024

The majors also want the US Supreme Court to intervene in the Cox case

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Cox Communications • 4 min read

The majors also want the US Supreme Court to intervene in the Cox case

The major record companies have asked the US Supreme Court to intervene in their dispute with Cox Communications. They had been set to receive a billion dollars in damages, but an appeals court ruling could see that figure slashed. The majors want the appeals ruling reversed…

Chris Cooke • 21 Aug 2024

South Africa pushes back against US criticism of fair use copyright reforms

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Copyright • 3 min read

South Africa pushes back against US criticism of fair use copyright reforms

The US copyright industries recently criticised plans to introduce fair use into South Africa’s copyright laws. The South African government has hit back, arguing the reforms allow its copyright regime to “keep up with innovation”. It will also likely make the country more attractive to AI companies…

Chris Cooke • 29 Jul 2024

Music groups demand European Commission provide a “clear proposal” for addressing impact of RAAP ruling on performance royalties in Europe

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Copyright • 3 min read

Music groups demand European Commission provide a “clear proposal” for addressing impact of RAAP ruling on performance royalties in Europe

In 2020, the EU courts made a ruling that changed the way some European countries deal with international performance royalties. The music community has now renewed its call for the European Commission to produce a plan to address the problems that change caused…

Chris Cooke • 08 Apr 2024

UK’s IPO to look at neighbouring rights and reciprocal payments to foreign performers

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Copyright • 3 min read

UK’s IPO to look at neighbouring rights and reciprocal payments to foreign performers

The Intellectual Property Office is seeking opinions on when performance royalties generated in the UK should flow to foreign labels and performers - the current rules treat labels and performers differently…

Chris Cooke • 16 Jan 2024