The newly-minted — and funded — Mechanical Licensing Collective has just awarded a plum contract to the Harry Fox Agency, owned by private equity firm the Blackstone Group. Critics are quickly pointing to a ‘no-bid contract’ based on polit…
Author archives: Paul Resnikoff
Stop Chasing Playlists and Start Building a Music Career — Our Latest Podcast
Warning: Spotify playlists may be damaging to your career. Ari Herstand explains why. What? You’re not subscribed to the Digital Music News Podcast? We’re available on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, and pretty much everywhere else. Or, simp…
Spotify Faces $1 Billion Lawsuit Over Copyright Infringement, Deceptive Trade Practices
Spotify is about to battle another billion-dollar lawsuit alleging mass-copyright infringement and deceptive trade practices. Back in August, we first reported that Eminem publisher Eight Mile Style was slapping Spotify with an elephantine, multi-billi…
Department of Justice’s PRO Consent Decree Review Is Becoming a ‘Frustrating Mess’
Which way will the U.S. Department of Justice go in its review of long-running PRO Consent Decrees? Unfortunately, the answer to that question seems to rely on a reading of various tea leaves — even for sources tied into the process. Earlier, we report…
Katy Perry’s Legal Nightmare Continues — ‘Dark Horse’ Damages Swell Beyond Initial $2.79 Million Verdict
Back in August, Katy Perry — alongside Capitol Records, Dr. Luke, Max Martin, Juicy J, Kobalt, and other partners — were saddled with a $2.789 million verdict for infringing ‘Dark Horse’. Turns out that was just part of the story. A closer…
There’s Hope for Radio Reform, After All — Congress Introduces the ‘AM-FM Act’ to Overhaul Terrestrial Copyright Laws
US-based terrestrial radio stations don’t pay royalties on the broadcast of recordings. The newly-introduced ‘AM-FM Act’ is aiming to change that. Once upon a time, terrestrial radio enjoyed a convenient relationship with major recor…
Is the Music Industry ‘Comeback’ Overrated? A Hard Look at the Latest Stats
Just a few short years ago, the music industry was contemplating its very existence. But is it time to get over the comeback celebration? For an industry that nearly collapsed overnight, the past few years have been a godsend. But is all the talk of a …
Big Machine Backs Down, Agrees to Let Taylor Swift to Play Her Own Music Live
Looks like Taylor Swift just won the rights to play her own songs at the American Music Awards. The high-profile battle between Taylor Swift and her former label Big Machine took a surprising turn this morning. After initially refusing to allow Swift …
Elizabeth Warren, Irving Azoff, Don Henley, Meghan Trainor, Others Firmly Stand With Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift’s battle against Scott Borchetta, Scooter Braun, and Big Machine is now drawing support from Elizabeth Warren, Irving Azoff, and other powerful corners. That includes the Music Artists Coalition, a musician advocacy group recently fo…
Big Machine Calls Taylor Swift a Liar. Taylor Swift Whips Out an Email to Prove It.
Big Machine Label Group says Taylor Swift is fabricating claims over her American Music Awards performance. Taylor Swift says Big Machine is lying about her lying — and produces an email to prove it. And another spat between the adult millionaires com…