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…
Category archives: legal
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…
TuneIn Downplays Its Major Label Legal Defeat — “The Judgment Will Have Very Little Impact”
Last week, TuneIn suffered a legal defeat against two of the major labels on copyright infringement grounds. In the UK-based decision, TuneIn was found liable for streaming stations based outside of the country. In his decision, judge Colin Birss in L…
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…
TikTok Is Now Under Investigation by the U.S. Government
Reuters is reporting that the U.S. government has initiated a national security probe of the parent of TikTok and their $1 billion acquisition of Musical.ly. Reuters is basing the report on two sources who have knowledge of the investigation. TikTok…
The Christian Grammy Awards Sued by the Actual Grammy Awards
On October 31, the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences filed a lawsuit in a California federal court against an event billing itself as the “Christian Grammy Awards.” According to the suit, the Christian Grammy Awards have bee…
TuneIn Loses Its Massive Copyright Infringement Suit In the UK — Report
Bloomberg is reporting that two major record labels have won a copyright infringement lawsuit against TuneIn in the United Kingdom for streaming music without a license. Earlier today, Judge Colin Birss in London found in favor of Warner Music U.K. and…
Katy Perry Sued for Posting a Picture of Herself on Instagram
Yet another celebrity is being sued for posting their own picture on social media: Katy Perry. Perry posted the picture of herself on Instagram two years ago when she dressed up as Hillary Clinton for Halloween. According to court documents, Backgrid, …
Atlanta Judge Halts the Demolition of the Building Where Fiddlin’ John Carson Recorded
A preservationist activist has succeeded in gaining a temporary restraining order against those who want to tear down an historical Atlanta building where many believe the first country music hits were recorded by Fiddlin’ John Carson. Last week,…
YouTube Creator Lindsay Ellis Battles Universal Music Over Fair Use Claim
Film critic and YouTuber Lindsay Ellis is fighting against a copyright strike filed by Universal Music Group. She says her use of the song in question falls under “fair use.” UMG’s copyright claim was filed against Ellis’ video,…