David Lowery, a longtime champion for artists and outspoken critic of major streaming platforms, has abruptly departed the Mechanical Licensing Collective’s Unclaimed Royalties Oversight Committee. The news comes as the paint is still drying on t…
Category archives: Music Royalties
YouTube Music Says It Pays the Same Royalty Rate as Spotify — At Least on Its Subscription Streams
Not sure this is good news, exactly. But YouTube Music is at least offering some data on its per-stream royalty payouts. Spotify is notorious for crappy royalty payouts to artists. But compared to YouTube, Spotify’s per-stream rates are downright lav…
Convicted Child Molester Gary Glitter to Receive Substantial Music Royalties from ‘Joker’
Gary Glitter, a convicted sexual predator, is being paid for his song’s appearance in Joker. Gary Glitter, a convicted pedophile with numerous convictions, is set to receive a windfall of cash from Joker. Glitter’s 1972 song, “Rock and Roll Part 2,” pl…
After Wrecking Disney CEO Bob Iger’s Book Signing, Musicians Double Down on Streaming Payment Demands
Musicians continue to fight Disney and other major media companies for increased streaming royalties. After following through with their plan to conduct a loud and conspicuous protest outside of Disney CEO Bob Iger’s October 1st book signing, musicians…
Musicians Say Disney Is Cheating Them on Streaming — Plan Major Disruption of Disney CEO Bob Iger’s Book Signing
Angry musicians are promising to make Disney CEO Bob Iger’s book signing a cacophonous affair. For those planning to meet Disney CEO Bob Iger at his book signing this evening (October 1st) in Glendale, CA, here’s a pro tip: bring some earplugs. Ahead o…
Deezer Introduces a New Payment System to Better Reward Artists — Can It Work?
Deezer launched a new website today touting the benefits of a ‘User-Centric Payment’ system. The music streaming service is hoping to get rights holders on board to create a new payment structure for artists. The user-centric payment system will start…
Record Store in Seattle Finds Kurt Cobain Royalty Check From 25 Years Ago
Easy Street Records in Seattle has found a royalty check made out to Kurt Cobain. Store owner Matt Vaughn says that he ran across the check after tidying up in the basement. The check was made out to Nirvana lead singer Kurt Cobain and was for a whoppi…
BMG Reports Double-Digit Revenue Increases During the First Half of 2019
BMG just posted a double-digit increase in revenue during the first 6 months of this year. The boom was driven by a surge in streaming revenues — little surprise there. The company reported revenue of more than $305 million for the first half of 2019, …
European Licensing Consortium ICE Crosses €1 Billion In Collections
ICE, a European copyright hub and distributor of song rights royalties, has officially paid more than €1 billion ($1.11 billion) worth of online royalties to rightsholders. ICE is comprised of three major rightsholders groups: PRS, STIM, and GEMA. The …
Aretha Franklin Died With More Than $1 Million In Uncashed Checks
Just when you thought the fight over Aretha Franklin’s assets couldn’t get any stickier. As Aretha Franklin’s sons continue to squabble over the late singer’s will (or lack thereof), there’s this. A court audit has now revealed that The Queen of Soul h…