Legal - CMU | the music business explained

Trump says USA should own TikTok after blink-and-you-miss-it ban kicks in

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TikTok • 4 min read

Trump says USA should own TikTok after blink-and-you-miss-it ban kicks in

The TikTok ban in the US went into force yesterday, taking the app offline. For a short time. It then returned after incoming President Trump vowed to issue an executive order later today pausing the ban and removing any liability from companies that continued working with TikTok in the meantime…

Chris Cooke • 20 Jan 2025

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John Lydon • 2 min read

John Lydon in court battle over who owns copyright in Public Image Ltd logo - forty five years after it was created

A legal battle is ongoing between John Lydon and photographer Dennis Morris over who owns the copyright in the logo for Public Image Ltd. Following a pre-trial hearing in court last month, Lydon has filed an amended lawsuit, with Morris then submitting an amended defence and counterclaim last week…

Chris Cooke • 20 Jan 2025

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Ador • 1 min read

Ador seeks injunction to stop NewJeans brand deals

As the legal dispute between HYBE subsidiary Ador and K-pop group NewJeans rumbles on, the label has asked the courts in South Korea to issue an injunction stopping the girl group from entering into new brand deals without its involvement…

Chris Cooke • 14 Jan 2025

Record industry welcomes Notorious Markets Report putting spotlight on bulletproof ISPs

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Piracy • 2 min read

Record industry welcomes Notorious Markets Report putting spotlight on bulletproof ISPs

The US Trade Representative last week published its annual Notorious Markets Report, running through key piracy gripes of the American IP industries. Although counterfeit medicines are a particular focus this year, music industry concerns are also summarised, including those pesky bulletproof ISPs…

Chris Cooke • 14 Jan 2025

TikTok will be fine as soon as consummate dealmaker Trump gets stuck in, says Trump

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TikTok • 4 min read

TikTok will be fine as soon as consummate dealmaker Trump gets stuck in, says Trump

TikTok is due to be banned in the US on 19 Jan. The US Supreme Court could block the ban, though at a hearing last week it seemed judges weren’t likely to go that route. Which means TikTok’s future in the US now rests with “consummate dealmaker” Donald Trump, who still reckons he can solve this one…

Chris Cooke • 13 Jan 2025

Court declines to dismiss sex assault lawsuit against Garth Brooks, after accuser accused the country star of “forum shopping”

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Garth Brooks • 2 min read

Court declines to dismiss sex assault lawsuit against Garth Brooks, after accuser accused the country star of “forum shopping”

A Californian court has declined to dismiss a sexual assault lawsuit filed against Garth Brooks. He has also sued his accuser through the courts in Mississippi and says she should make her allegations in a counterclaim to that lawsuit. She argued that that amounted to unfair “forum shopping”…

Chris Cooke • 13 Dec 2024

Donald Trump settles Eddy Grant copyright lawsuit after fair use defence fails

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Eddy Grant • 2 min read

Donald Trump settles Eddy Grant copyright lawsuit after fair use defence fails

In September a US court said that Donald Trump’s unapproved use of Eddy Grant’s ‘Electric Avenue’ in a 2020 campaign video was not fair use, meaning it infringed copyright. Trump has now settled Grant’s lawsuit, meaning that ruling won’t be challenged on appeal…

Chris Cooke • 22 Nov 2024

Madlib sues business manager over allegations of “rank self-dealing”

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Madlib • 2 min read

Madlib sues business manager over allegations of “rank self-dealing”

Madlib has sued his business manager Egon over allegations he mismanaged two companies they set up together to control the producer’s recordings and merchandise business. It’s claimed that, since they fell out, Egon is now holding Madlib’s IP and social media hostage…

Chris Cooke • 04 Nov 2024

Nirvana baby lawsuit takes new turn as RIAA files amicus brief saying litigation could have chilling effects

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Nirvana • 2 min read

Nirvana baby lawsuit takes new turn as RIAA files amicus brief saying litigation could have chilling effects

The man who, as a baby, appeared on the cover of Nirvana’s ‘Nevermind’ is suing the band and their label claiming that the artwork breached US laws against child pornography. RIAA has come out in support of the band, saying a ruling against them would have a “chilling” effect on artistic expression…

Chris Cooke • 01 Nov 2024

Shock development sees Young Thug walk free after chaotic 22 month-long trial

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Young Thug • 3 min read

Shock development sees Young Thug walk free after chaotic 22 month-long trial

Having been incarcerated ever since his arrest in May 2022, Young Thug was yesterday freed from jail after pleading guilty to gang related charges. It brought to a sudden end a long-running and chaotic trial that also caused controversy because of prosecutors using the rapper’s lyrics against him…

Chris Cooke • 01 Nov 2024

Lil Durk charged over alleged murder-for-hire revenge plot

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Lil Durk • 2 min read

Lil Durk charged over alleged murder-for-hire revenge plot

Lil Durk could face a life sentence after being charged over allegations he paid for the attempted murder of rival rapper Quando Rondo. It’s claimed associates of Durk and his collective OTF travelled to LA with the intent of murdering Rondo in retaliation for the killing of OTF rapper King Von…

Chris Cooke • 28 Oct 2024

Op-ed: Dorothea Thompson of Bray & Krais on the Morrissey + Marr trademark tensions

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Op-Eds • 3 min read

Op-ed: Dorothea Thompson of Bray & Krais on the Morrissey + Marr trademark tensions

After Morrissey and Johnny Marr had a public set-to about the trademark THE SMITHS, Dorothea Thompson takes a look at the ins and outs of trademark registration and how to sort things out…

CMU Contributors • 23 Oct 2024