YouTube - CMU | the music business explained

Google says any music uploaded to YouTube is fair game for AI training - and there’s nothing musicians can do

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Google • 4 min read

Google says any music uploaded to YouTube is fair game for AI training - and there’s nothing musicians can do

Google has responded to a copyright infringement claim from a group of independent artists over its music AI model Lyria. It claims the artists basically gave Google permission to use their music in AI training when they uploaded content to YouTube, and therefore their lawsuit should be dismissed…

Chris Cooke • 10 Jun 2026

YouTube to let video creators swap out Content ID tracks for royalty-free AI substitutes

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YouTube • 2 min read

YouTube to let video creators swap out Content ID tracks for royalty-free AI substitutes

A new feature on YouTube will make it easy for video creators dealing with Content ID copyright claims to replace copyright protected music in their videos with royalty free AI-generated instrumentals. Innovations like this could negatively impact on YouTuber-centric production music companies…

Chris Cooke • 05 May 2026

Google had every opportunity to train its AI legally, but chose to do it on the cheap instead, say indie musicians in new lawsuit

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Google • 3 min read

Google had every opportunity to train its AI legally, but chose to do it on the cheap instead, say indie musicians in new lawsuit

Another AI copyright lawsuit, this time a group of indie artists are suing Google over its Lyria model. Like all AI companies, the lawsuit says, Google infringed copyright when training its model. But Google’s “conduct is different”, because it has the infrastructure in place to train AI legally…

Chris Cooke • 10 Mar 2026

YouTube now the second most watched media platform in the UK, behind only the BBC

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YouTube • 3 min read

YouTube now the second most watched media platform in the UK, behind only the BBC

YouTube is now second only to the BBC when it comes to at-home video consumption, according to a new report from OfCom. The regulator considers what that means for traditional public service broadcasters like the BBC, having recently suggested new laws to force YouTube to sign-post their content…

Chris Cooke • 31 Jul 2025

Bundling antics in the spotlight again as YouTube is hauled over the coals by South Korean regulators

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YouTube • 3 min read

Bundling antics in the spotlight again as YouTube is hauled over the coals by South Korean regulators

YouTube might roll out its Premium Lite product in South Korea as part of a settlement with the country’s Fair Trade Commission, which last year criticised YouTube for bundling its music service as part of Premium, saying that marginalised rival platforms. The Lite product doesn’t include music…

Chris Cooke • 16 Apr 2025

YouTube expands Premium Lite pilot to the US - the premium package that excludes ad-free music

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YouTube • 2 min read

YouTube expands Premium Lite pilot to the US - the premium package that excludes ad-free music

YouTube is expanding the pilot of its lower-priced Premium Lite tier. The expansion was announced as the total number of subscribers for YouTube Premium and YouTube Music passed 125 million, something YouTube Music boss Lyor Cohen says is “an incredible milestone"…

Chris Cooke • 06 Mar 2025

Apple won’t be forced to let Musi back into its app store, rules judge

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Musi • 2 min read

Apple won’t be forced to let Musi back into its app store, rules judge

Apple kicked music app Musi out of its App Store last September. Musi has sued and wants a preliminary injunction forcing Apple to immediately reinstate its app. A judge has declined to issue that injunction, saying Apple’s terms clearly say it can remove any apps at any time “with or without cause”…

Chris Cooke • 03 Feb 2025

Apple colluded with music industry while pretending to be neutral in app dispute, claims Musi

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Musi • 3 min read

Apple colluded with music industry while pretending to be neutral in app dispute, claims Musi

Music streaming app Musi is still working hard to get itself reinstated on Apple’s App Store, having been kicked out in September following complaints by YouTube and the music industry. In a new filing, Musi says Apple failed to follow its own process for dealing with app disputes…

Chris Cooke • 11 Dec 2024

Musi sues Apple over its App Store banishment

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Musi • 3 min read

Musi sues Apple over its App Store banishment

Last month the free music streaming app Musi - which pulls its content from YouTube - disappeared from Apple’s App Store. The music industry welcomed that development, but Musi has now sued Apple over its decision, criticising both Apple and YouTube…

Chris Cooke • 07 Oct 2024

YouTube and SESAC kiss and make up as renewed deal sees blocked videos return

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YouTube • 2 min read

YouTube and SESAC kiss and make up as renewed deal sees blocked videos return

This weekend music videos featuring songs by writers allied with American collecting society SESAC were blocked on YouTube in the US, because its SESAC licence was about to expire and no new deal had been agreed. But, at the very last minute, a deal was done and the videos are back…

Chris Cooke • 01 Oct 2024

Music videos blocked on YouTube after SESAC licensing talks stall

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SESAC • 3 min read

Music videos blocked on YouTube after SESAC licensing talks stall

YouTube’s negotiations to agree a new licensing deal with American collecting society SESAC have stalled and its existing deal is now expiring. As a result, videos featuring songs written by SESAC member writers - including Bob Dylan, Adele and Burna Boy - have been blocked on the video platform…

Chris Cooke • 30 Sep 2024

Free music app removed from Apple App Store, seemingly after YouTube intervention

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Musi • 2 min read

Free music app removed from Apple App Store, seemingly after YouTube intervention

Apple has removed the free music app Musi from its App Store. IFPI has been calling for the app to be removed since last year, because Musi pulls in music from YouTube rather than negotiating licensing deals with labels. However, it is possible that an intervention by YouTube prompted Apple to act…

Chris Cooke • 27 Sep 2024