Universal Music Faces a Growing Chorus of Artist Complaints Over Its Handling of the 2008 Universal Studios Fire

Over ten years ago, several workers at Universal Studios Hollywood made a huge blunder.  Universal Music Group committed a much greater one. To repair a building on a set, the workers had decided to use a blowtorch.  This would warm asphalts applied to…

Judge Refuses to Toss a Shocking $6.6 Million Verdict Against Yo Gotti

A judge in North Carolina has refused to dismiss a $6.6 million judgment against Yo Gotti — just for bailing on a deal. This comes a month after Forsyth Superior Court judge Todd Burke ruled against the rapper.  He awarded the amount to Michael Terry. …

Amoeba Music Will Get Torn Down to Make Way for 26-Story Complex; New Location Still Unknown

Four years ago, and through a holding company, GPI Companies purchased Amoeba Music for $34 million. The legendary Los Angeles record store currently sits on Sunset Blvd.  Years after the purchase, however, Amoeba’s owners – Marc Weinstein and Dave Pri…

NMPA Files a Motion to Dismiss Peloton’s “Baseless Antitrust” Counterclaim

Several months ago, over ten music publishers, including the NMPA and Downtown Music Publishing, filed a $150 million lawsuit against Peloton. The fitness technology company was accused of skipping over critical synchronization licenses for its music-i…

OneRPM Files Bitter Lawsuit Against Rival CmdShft for Stealing Clients; CmdShft Countersues for Bullying Its Clients With Lawsuits

ONErpm has filed a lawsuit against CmdShft and its two co-founders, Sonny Findlay and CEO Jarrod Cooper. Filed at the Chancery Court for Davison County, Tennessee on April 16th, digital distributor ONErpm has accused CmdShft, a label boutique services …

Kanye West Files Motion to Dismiss EMI Music Publishing’s Countersuit in New York

Taking a jab at Sony Music’s EMI Music Publishing division and Universal Music Group (UMG), Kanye West told his fans artists should have the right to purchase their publishing catalog whenever they want. There’s just one problem.  Typically, artists ca…

SGAE Members Vote Against Much-Needed Anti-Corruption Reforms Following CISAC Suspension

Following nearly twenty years of corruption, CISAC suspended Spanish collecting society SGAE’s membership. Between 2003 and 2007, SGAE executives knowingly misappropriated millions of euros in royalty payments.  Authorities in Madrid had arrested Enriq…

O-Town Slams Universal Music’s Trademark Opposition – “They Have More Money and Nothing to Do”

Universal Music Group (UMG) has filed a new injunction against a boy band group. The major music group has said O-Town can’t file a trademark.  It sounds too similar to its own popular and iconic label, Motown Recordings. Two years ago, the band’s memb…

Spotify Only Paid 0.5% on App Store Commissions to Apple for Premium Subscriptions

Several months ago, and with the help of Anghami and Deezer, Spotify formally lodged an antitrust complaint against Apple in the European Union. The Swedish music streaming company accused its rival of taking a 30% “fee” on the App Store.  This, claime…

Report: 62% of Festivalgoers Want Music Festivals to Cut Down on Waste Reduction, Yet Most Abandon Their Tents at Events

Ticketmaster UK has unveiled its State of Play report. In its latest annual study, the live promoter focused on music festivals across the UK. Drawing on 10 years of ticket data and surveying over 4,000 festivalgoers, Ticketmaster found 62% remain conc…