Spotify continues to build on its analytics platform, this time for publishers. Several months ago, Spotify unveiled a new feature on its For Artists platform – free direct uploads. Bridging the gap between artists and the streaming music service, musi…
Category archives: Feature Story
The RIAA and NMPA Warn Ninth Circuit Judge to Overturn ‘Stairway to Heaven’ Ruling
According to both the RIAA and the NMPA, should Led Zeppelin’s ‘Stairway to Heaven’ forced retrial stand, expect a flood of new copyright infringement claims. Last September, on the group’s 50th anniversary, a federal judge presented Led Zeppelin with …
Apple Music Unveils Preferred Digital Distributor List
With its preferred digital distributor list, should we expect Apple Music to soon allow direct uploads for artists? The Cupertino company has quietly launched its ‘Apple Preferred Distribution Program.’ With the launch of its program, Apple Music has n…
Despite YouTube Music’s Relaunch, YouTube Premium Falls Out of the Top 10 Streaming Services In the U.S.
Is YouTube Music drawing any subscribers? Just-released data on YouTube Premium suggests a very sluggish start. YouTube’s latest music subscription service is failing to boost YouTube Premium in any substantial way, according to recent research. Acco…
YouTube Has Allegedly Paid $6 Billion to the Music Industry
In a self-serving report, Google touts its own ability to stop anti-piracy and YouTube’s apparent inflated payments to the music industry. But, why can’t anyone independently verify the information? Google has published a new report revealing how it t…
Spotify for Artists Will Charge for Certain Services, Daniel Ek Says
Is Spotify really the key to identifying real fans? More importantly, can the streaming music giant successfully monetize its Artists platform? In is Q3 2018 report, Spotify revealed one thing – despite the cash burn, the service continues to grow. M…
Neighboring Rights Is Broken. Can the Independent Alliance for Artist Rights Fix It?
Discussions about ‘neighboring rights’ are rarely uplifting ones in the music industry. A number of performance rights organizations have earned some nasty reputations, particularly in Europe. But once royalties are being remunerated between countries…
Amazon Music Reveals Another Trick: Alexa-Powered New Release Notifications
Amazon Music has quietly released a feature that allows users to follow their favorite artists using Alexa. Amazon Music subscribers in the US can now ask Alexa to follow their favorite artist. Once set, the user will receive notifications when a new …
Rihanna Sends Donald Trump a Cease-and-Desist Letter Demanding That He Stop Playing Her Music at His Rallies
Rihanna is the latest artist to send a cease-and-desist letter to President Trump for playing her music at one of his rallies. The letter from Rihanna’s legal team says that the singer isn’t authorizing her music to be played at Trump rallies. The lett…
Spotify Reportedly Launches in Dubai and the MENA Region
Spotify continues expanding its global reach. As expected, Spotify has finally launched in Dubai and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Two months ago, Gulf News obtained an e-mail outlining Spotify’s plans in the region. First, the compan…