Creative Artists Agency (CAA) has signed a representation deal with South Korea’s SM Entertainment, which manages K-pop stars such as NCT 127, SuperM and EXO. The agreement means that for the first time an American-based agency will represent one…
Author archives: Marsha Silva
Michael Jackson Estate Acquires the Rights to the Sly Stone Catalog
The Michael Jackson estate, along with Jackson’s publishing company MIJAC Music, have acquired a majority interest in the U.S. rights of Sly and the Family Stone’s music catalog. Previously in 1983, MIJAC purchased the rights of the band…
Metallica Pledges $100,000 for Wildfire Relief in California
The legendary heavy metal band Metallica is doing its part to help fire-ravaged California, by donating $100,000 for recovery efforts. Through the band’s All Within My Hands charitable organization, the donation will help victims of wildfires thr…
UMG Refuses to Share 2008 Fire Insurance Pay-Out With Artists — “Doesn’t Belong to Them”
On November 4, a lawyer representing Universal Music Group (UMG) told a federal court that artists had no right to an insurance settlement relating to the 2008 fire that destroyed many master recordings. In response to the fire at Universal Studios Hol…
After Receiving Just $98 in Soundtrack Royalties, the Creators of Spinal Tap Settle Their $400 Million Lawsuit Against Vivendi
The creators of the legendary rock mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap have settled their dispute with Universal Music Group (UMG) parent Vivendi relating to the soundtrack of the film and related recordings. The film’s creators include Harry Shearer…
Hip Hop DJ Angie Martinez Suffers Serious Injuries In a Major Car Accident
On November 4th, popular hip-hop DJ Angie Martinez confirmed that she had suffered serious injuries as a result of a car accident. One of the hosts of New York City’s Power 105.1, Martinez reported the injuries herself through social media. These…
Universal Music Publishing Group Signs Robbie Williams
On November 4, Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) announced that it had completed a global administration agreement with Farrell Music, which is the publishing company of British pop star Robbie Williams. The agreement covers not just WilliamsR…
Major Labels, RIAA Target Music Hosting Service Wi.to for Massive Copyright Infringement
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has issued a DMCA subpoena to CloudFlare in order to discover the owner of one of its customers: the music hosting service Wi.to. The music industry trade group is accusing Wi.to of allowing copyrigh…
The Latest Music Industry Gigs: Kobalt, Fat Possum, Downtown Music, BMG, UTA, Warner
Here’s a recap of recent executive shuffles — including both hirings and in-house promotions — from across the music industry. If you have a job listing to share, we’re all ears. Send us a note to news@digitalmusicnews.com. If you’d like to post a job…
Music Industry Attorney Jay Rosenthal Passes Away, 61
Noted entertainment lawyer Jay Rosenthal has passed away at the age of 61. Rosenthal, who once described himself as a “self-proclaimed music junkie,” originally sought a music career, having grown up in a musical family. But while he initia…