Facebook Just Signed a Deal With the Largest Music Publisher In the World

Universal Music Group inked the first deal with Facebook.  Now, it’s Sony/ATV’s turn. Facebook’s music ambitions are rapidly taking shape, thanks to a pair of momentous deals.  Late last year, the social network finalized a groundbrea…

Death Metal Band Decapitated Acquitted of Rape & Kidnapping Charges

Polish death metal band Decapitated has been acquitted of all rape and kidnapping charges by a prosector in Washington.  It now appears that the charges were totally fabricated. They were accused of gang-raping and kidnapping at least one fan, and subs…

Oldies Artists Who Can’t Get Paid are Asking Congress for Help

Copyright owners of sound recordings released before 1972 have a problem: nobody will pay them their royalties.  Now, these ‘oldies’ artists are hoping to close that legal loophole with the Classics Act. Duke Fakir, a founding member of Fou…

YouTube Video Containing Static Receives 5 Different Copyright Violations

It’s a 10-hour video of white noise static uploaded onto YouTube.  Now, the guy who uploaded has been slapped with 5 different copyright claims. If you thought YouTube’s copyright monitoring system was a joke, this latest episode will make …

SoundCloud Suddenly Sounds Terrible, Producer Alleges

A new controversy could harm SoundCloud’s chances of remaining a viable streaming music alternative for music fans. SoundCloud didn’t have a stellar 2017. Due to a lack of a sustainable business model, the streaming music platform faced the threat of b…

3 Weeks After Net Neutrality’s Repeal, Cox Raises Prices on 32 Different Services

Technically, this isn’t connected to the abrupt repeal of net neutrality provisions in December.  But don’t expect the FCC to intervene on wide-scale rate increases affecting millions of Americans — including those from Cox Communications. …

Beats Cofounder Jimmy Iovine Saying Goodbye to Apple

And what about Dre?  Beats co-founder Jimmy Iovine is expected to leave Apple in August, according to reports circulating Thursday. Music producer, label executive and headphone scion Jimmy Iovine is now reportedly leaving Apple, according to reports s…

Kendrick Lamar Finds Out He’s Playing for Donald Trump Next Week

Kendrick Lamar just announced that he’ll be producing and curating the Black Panther album soundtrack.  He’s also performing for Donald Trump on Monday in Atlanta. Kendrick Lamar is an outspoken critic of Donald Trump.  And that’s an …

FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai Cancels Las Vegas Speech Following Multiple Death Threats

FCC commissioner Ajit Pai has abruptly cancelled a high-profile speech at CES in Las Vegas following ‘multiple, unsubstantiated death threats’. One of the most powerful regulators in the United States is having trouble leaving the confines …

Spotify Is Going Public In Less Than Three Months!

The music world and business community are abuzz with news that Spotify is set to go public on the New York Stock Exchange. Spotify is one of the largest music streaming services with 60 million paid subscribers and over 140 million active users as of …