The latest record label news

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welcomed the plan for how that levy will work, Music Canada is critical, calling the levy “staggering” and the plan “outdated”…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

Verizon is latest ISP to be sued by the major record companies

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Verizon • 2 min read

Verizon is latest ISP to be sued by the major record companies

The major record companies have sued Verizon for copyright infringement for not doing enough to deal with repeat infringers on its networks. It’s the latest American ISP to be sued by the music industry following precedent set in BMG’s legal battle with Cox Communications…

Chris Cooke • 15 Jul 2024

Universal Music UK announces restructure, creating two big label groups

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Universal Music • 3 min read

Universal Music UK announces restructure, creating two big label groups

Following the restructure of Universal Music in the US, the UK division of the major has announced similar changes, with most of its frontline labels reorganised into two groups. There will also be a new Audience & Media division. The restructure will mean job losses, though we don’t know how many…

Chris Cooke • 09 Jul 2024

One Media iP releases first half numbers, goes big on vinyl revival

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One Media iP • 4 min read

One Media iP releases first half numbers, goes big on vinyl revival

One Media reports steady but unremarkable numbers for the first six months of its new financial year. The company highlights the challenges presented by its TCAT subsidiary, and talks up opportunities presented by a new vinyl label to further monetise evergreen catalogue assets…

Sam Taylor • 01 Jul 2024

US radio royalties back in the spotlight in Congress

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American Music Fairness Act • 3 min read

US radio royalties back in the spotlight in Congress

The decades long campaign to force US radio stations to pay royalties to artists and labels continues. Representatives for the music industry - including Randy Travis - and the radio sector went back through the arguments for and against such a royalty at a hearing in US Congress yesterday…

Chris Cooke • 27 Jun 2024

Warner Music sued over Tom Petty documentary

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Tom Petty • 1 min read

Warner Music sued over Tom Petty documentary

Film-maker Martyn Atkins has accused Warner Music of using his footage of Tom Petty recording 1994 album ‘Wildflowers’ in the 2021 documentary ‘Somewhere You Feel Free’ without permission. Not only that, but the documentary was originally Atkins idea, it is claimed…

Chris Cooke • 20 Jun 2024

French label and performer collecting societies announce joint venture

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Collective Licensing • 2 min read

French label and performer collecting societies announce joint venture

French record label collecting society SCPP has announced a new joint venture with performer society ADAMI which will see the two organisations pool their databases and royalty distribution systems. They say that the collaboration will increase efficiency and strengthen their respective rights…

Chris Cooke • 28 May 2024

Lucian’s lunch money under threat as shareholder pressure mounts over “excessive” pay packet

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Lucian Grainge • 4 min read

Lucian’s lunch money under threat as shareholder pressure mounts over “excessive” pay packet

Lucian Grainge is inches away from getting a massive bonus as the UMG share price nears €30 per share, while investors are looking for signs that his STIs could be out of control. That’s short-term incentives, you filthy dogs…

Sam Taylor • 07 May 2024

Goldman Sachs analysts upbeat about music industry after a “turning point” year

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Goldman Sachs • 4 min read

Goldman Sachs analysts upbeat about music industry after a “turning point” year

Goldman Sachs has published its annual ‘Music In The Air’ report, reviewing the wider music sector and making predictions through to 2030. Streaming price rises, AI and superfan opportunities, and a resurgent live sector mean analysts have increased their predicted annual growth rate to 7.6%…

Chris Cooke • 07 May 2024

Universal boss Lucian Grainge talks up the new TikTok deal which “will protect the integrity and value of human artistry”

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TikTok • 2 min read

Universal boss Lucian Grainge talks up the new TikTok deal which “will protect the integrity and value of human artistry”

Following the news that Universal Music has agreed a new licensing deal with TikTok, boss man Lucian Grainge has sent a memo out to this staff. He confirms that the new deal addresses the major’s concerns around money and platform safety, and especially AI…

Chris Cooke • 03 May 2024

Believe board backs buyout bid - but company will remain listed on Paris exchange

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Believe • 5 min read

Believe board backs buyout bid - but company will remain listed on Paris exchange

Believe’s move to private equity backing now looks like a done deal. The twist is that shareholders won’t be forced to sell their shares and can participate in Believe’s long term growth through a continued public listing, while sources point to “upcoming consolidation” in music industry…

Sam Taylor • 19 Apr 2024

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