Now that the Music Modernization Act (MMA) is law, who should be implementing it? Maybe passing the Music Modernization Act into law was the easy part. Now, attention has shifted towards critical implementation details, with major publishers arguing th…
Author archives: Paul Resnikoff
After a Stunning Defeat, Universal Music, Warner Music, and Sony Music File an Appeal Against FLVTO.biz
It was a shocking loss against a shadowy YouTube ‘stream-ripper’. Now, major labels Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, and Sony Music Entertainment are appealing a quick defeat at the hands of Russia-based stream-ripper FLVTO.biz. The major la…
The American Mechanical Licensing Collective (AMLC) Isn’t Going Away — Here’s Their Full Statement to the Music Industry
The American Mechanical Licensing Collective (AMLC) says they represent the interests of independent songwriters and rights owners. In fact, they feel they’re addressing a bigger group than the major publisher-backed ‘MLC’. Back in November, we first …
PledgeMusic Majority Shareholder Faces SEC Stock Fraud Charges
The charges are unrelated to PledgeMusic — though this isn’t a good sign. The U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued formal stock fraud charges against a majority PledgeMusic shareholder. Joshua Sason, founder and CEO of Magna Group…
Songtradr Acquires Big Sync Music In a Multi-Million Dollar Buyout
Songtradr acquires largest sync music agency in the world, Big Sync Music. The once-marginalized synchronization space is now getting seriously rattled — with far bigger opportunities ahead for both artists and brands. Heading into this acquisition by …
Jussie Smollett Faces Serious Accusations of Fabricating a Hate Crime
Empire star Jussie Smollett is ‘angered and devastated’ by the latest accusations. What exactly happened on the early morning of January 29th? That is becoming an increasingly puzzling question, with Chicago Police apparently shifting their investigati…
Looks Like the ‘New’ Article 13 Is Drawing Industry Approval — GEMA, PRS, Impala All Saying ‘Yes’
Music industry in-fighting is now giving way to group hugging. Yesterday, we first reported that a brand-new Copyright Directive had been approved in the European Union. The Directive, which contains the controversial Article 13, is now being shuttled…
After Two Years of EU Deliberations, Article 13 Text Is Finalized — And Headed for a Vote
The finalized Article 13 text is either a breakthrough, a disaster, or something in-between — depending on the organization you talk to. It’s done. After more than two years of EU deliberations, thousands of hours of hearings and endless debates, a fin…
Jussie Smollett Offers Redacted Phone Records to Chicago Police — Investigators Says It’s Not Enough
Chicago Police seem to be shifting gears in their investigation involving Jussie Smollett, who reported being brutally attacked on January 29th. Smollett reported that two attackers slashed the actor’s face and splashed a toxic substance on him, while …
After a Year On the Block, Universal Music Group Fully Acquires Ingrooves
Universal Music Group is now the sole owner of indie-focused distributor Ingrooves Music Group. This might be one of the easiest post-acquisition integrations in recent memory. Universal Music Group, a longtime minority stakeholder in Ingrooves Music G…