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Universal’s Downtown deal likely to be approved by EU regulator, according to sources
Universal’s Downtown deal likely to be approved by EU regulator, according to sources…
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AI music creation platform Udio signs deal with indie label licensing body Merlin
Udio has announced a licensing deal with Merlin, which means many indie labels and distributors will now be able to participate in the relaunch of the AI platform as an industry-endorsed service. Merlin says the deal shows it is “committed to participating in shaping the opportunities AI promises”…
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Indie community welcomes EU’s ‘statement of objections’ over Universal’s Downtown deal
The European Commission yesterday confirmed it has sent a statement of objections to Universal regarding its bid to buy Downtown, raising data concerns, particularly in relation to Downtown’s Curve platform. Indie labels have welcomed the development and continue to argue the deal should be blocked…
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Upholding major labels' billion dollar ruling against Cox will have “seismic and dangerous ramifications”
Next month the US Supreme Court will review the major labels’ billion dollar legal win against Cox. The ISP has made another filing with the top court, again presenting doom and gloom predictions, insisting that if the majors’ win is upheld there will be “seismic and dangerous ramifications”…
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Warner downsizing continues with new super division for Benelux and GSA
Warner Music is combining its Benelux and GSA divisions, which will now operate as one, led by former Benelux boss Niels Walboomers, with GSA Presidents Doreen Schimk and Fabian Drebes exiting. It’s part of the major’s ongoing efforts to find $300 million in cost savings, a lot of it from job cuts…
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Lucian Grainge says artist consent will be sought on AI deals - though only for voice clones and AI-generated adaptations
Lucian Grainge has sent a memo to UMG employees updating them on the major’s negotiations with AI companies. Most interestingly he identifies two scenarios where artist consent will be sought before employing AI tools: voice clones and AI-generated songs that “incorporate an artist’s existing songs”…
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Warner UK COO departs as downsizing of senior leadership continues
Downsizing at the top of Warner Music continues. Following the news that Warner UK CEO Tony Harlow is departing and won’t be replaced, now UK COO Isabel Garvey has also announced she is leaving. UK labels will report into the US, while other departments will report to EMEA President Simon Robson…
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US government set to side with Cox in court to overturn billion dollar damages judgement
Not only is the US government backing Cox Communications as it tries to overturn the billion dollar ruling in its long-running copyright battle with the major labels, but US Solicitor General D John Sauer now wants ten minutes to tell Supreme Court judges directly why they should side with the ISP…
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Sylvia Rhone announces departure from top job at Sony Music’s Epic Records
Sylvia Rhone is standing down as Chair and CEO of the Epic label at Sony Music. The first black woman to chair a major label in the US, Rhone has now led frontline label divisions at all three major record companies. In a memo to staff, Sony boss Rob Stringer hailed the “trailblazing executive”…
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Universal’s Downtown deal must be blocked by regulators before “cultural diversity is weakened irreversibly” says Dutch indie label group president
The debate over Universal’s bid to buy Downtown continues. Kees van Weijen, President of Dutch indie label group STOMP and board member at IMPALA, has set out why he believes the EU competition regulator needs to step in before market consolidation irreversibly weakens cultural diversity in Europe…
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As EU hits pause on UMG Downtown investigation after “parties fail to provide important info”, Downtown boss whines about “misinformation”
More Downtown drama as the EU says it has not received an “important piece of information” it needs to investigate UMG’s acquisition, while Downtown’s boss whines about indie “misinformation”. The real question is: why are Universal-aligned execs so scared of IMPALA and other indie trade bodies?…
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More upheaval at Warner Music as UK label chiefs will report directly to US execs
Warner Music has announced a big rejig at its UK business, following the news CEO Tony Harlow is standing down. He won’t be replaced, with UK label bosses now reporting into their US counterparts, including Elliot Grainge, while operational teams will report into EMEA President Simon Robson…