The latest record label news

Appeals court cuts major label payouts in Grande ISP copyright infringement case

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Grande Communications • 3 min read

Appeals court cuts major label payouts in Grande ISP copyright infringement case

There’s been an important ruling in the major labels’ music piracy case against Grande Communications. A US appeals court has confirmed the ISP is liable for copyright infringement, rejecting a new argument based on a 2023 Supreme Court ruling. However, the damages bill will be cut back…

Chris Cooke • 11 Oct 2024

Universal Music sues Chili’s over music in social media posts

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Universal Music • 2 min read

Universal Music sues Chili’s over music in social media posts

Another lawsuit has been filed in the US against a brand which used music in its social media posts with getting the right sync licences. Universal Music has sued the Chili's restaurant chain, which is already fighting a similar lawsuit filed by the Beastie Boys…

Chris Cooke • 10 Oct 2024

Naxos sues Chinese classical music platform Kuke

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Naxos • 2 min read

Naxos sues Chinese classical music platform Kuke

Chinese classical platform Kuke Music entered into an eight year deal with Naxos in 2018, giving it access to a large catalogue of classical recordings. However, Naxos says Kuke stopped making payments under that deal at the end of 2021 and, with nearly $2 million owing, it has now filed a lawsuit…

Chris Cooke • 08 Oct 2024

Kesha reveals “ten year plan to upend the music industry”

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Kesha • 3 min read

Kesha reveals “ten year plan to upend the music industry”

Kesha finally fulfilled all the obligations on her 2005 record deal with Dr Luke’s Kemosabe Records last year allowing her to release recent single ‘Joyride’ on her own label. Now in control of her recordings, she has a plan to address issues in the music industry, including unfair record contracts…

Chris Cooke • 04 Oct 2024

Dickon Stainer appointed to run Universal Music in the UK

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Universal Music • 2 min read

Dickon Stainer appointed to run Universal Music in the UK

Following the announcement yesterday that long-time CEO of Universal Music UK, David Joseph, is leaving the company to go and study religion, the major has already appointed a new UK chief. Dickon Stainer, another long-term UMG exec who has previously led on the classical side, has got the job…

Chris Cooke • 24 Sep 2024

Lucian Grainge or God? Universal’s UK big cheese David Joseph is off to study religion

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Universal Music • 2 min read

Lucian Grainge or God? Universal’s UK big cheese David Joseph is off to study religion

When you’ve worked for Lucian Grainge for most of your life, there’s only one obvious choice for your next job: go work for God. David Joseph, the CEO of Universal Music UK, has handed in his keys to the executive dining room and is off to study religion and theology.…

Chris Cooke • 23 Sep 2024

After executive cull, Elliot Grainge will reveal new Atlantic leadership team next week

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Warner Music • 4 min read

After executive cull, Elliot Grainge will reveal new Atlantic leadership team next week

Elliot Grainge will announce Atlantic’s new leadership team next week as WMG boss Robert Kyncl sweeps the floor and shows the old guard the door. As papa Grainge heralds the “Streaming 2.0” era, all eyes will be on Atlantic’s new boss as he lays out his vision for the future…

Sam Taylor • 20 Sep 2024

US recorded music revenues continue to grow, latest RIAA stats confirm

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RIAA • 3 min read

US recorded music revenues continue to grow, latest RIAA stats confirm

The RIAA has published revenue figures for the US recorded music market in the first half of the year. Retail revenues were up 4% to $8.7 billion. Premium streaming accounts for the majority of that revenue, though vinyl sales are seeing the fastest growth at the moment…

Chris Cooke • 29 Aug 2024

Record industry welcomes takedown of eight piracy sites in Brazil

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Operation Redirect • 1 min read

Record industry welcomes takedown of eight piracy sites in Brazil

The Brazilian authorities have been running a new anti-piracy programme called Operation Redirect targeting torrent, stream-ripping and illegal download services in the country, with eight websites being taken down so far. It follows previous anti-piracy work under the banner Operation 404…

Chris Cooke • 28 Aug 2024

Revoke billion dollar damages award otherwise Grandma will be thrown off the internet, says Cox in Supreme Court copyright battle

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Cox Communications • 3 min read

Revoke billion dollar damages award otherwise Grandma will be thrown off the internet, says Cox in Supreme Court copyright battle

Internet access for millions of American consumers and businesses is in jeopardy unless the US Supreme Court overturns the billion dollar copyright judgement that the major labels secured against ISP Cox Communications, says the company in a colourful and highly dramatic US Supreme Court filing…

Chris Cooke • 16 Aug 2024

French and Italian record industries secure new web-blocks

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web-blocking • 2 min read

French and Italian record industries secure new web-blocks

Web-blocking remains an anti-piracy tactic of choice for the music industry. This week the record industries of both Italy and France welcomed the issuing of a number of new web-blocking orders in their respective countries, the Italian ones all targeting stream-ripping…

Chris Cooke • 26 Jul 2024

Major label trade group criticises Canada’s 5% streaming levy

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Music Canada • 3 min read

Major label trade group criticises Canada’s 5% streaming levy

Music Canada, which represents the major record companies, has issued a statement about the 5% streaming levy being introduced in the country. Whereas the indie labels have welcomed the plan for how that levy will work, Music Canada is critical, calling the levy “staggering” and the plan “outdated”…

Chris Cooke • 25 Jul 2024

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