Digital Music News – studio recording, publishing, streaming, live concerts, talent development

The latest music news from Digital Music News, affecting recording industry, music publishing, mp3 streaming, concert industry, talent development, venture capital, and music technology, with reporting on artists new releases and where to get new mp3 songs.

1. Taylor Swift Legal Team Tears ‘Absurd’ Trademark Claims by Former Vegas Showgirl to Shreds, Threaten Legal Retaliation

   Taylor Swift’s legal team launches a counterattack against a former Vegas showgirl, accusing her of clout-chasing with her trademark infringement claim. Taylor Swift’s legal team has officially opposed an injunction request from former Vegas showgirl Maren Wade, who filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Swift earlier this year over the title of her 2025 album, […]

2. Warner Music Divulges Dramatic Catalog Expenditure Levels During Q2 Earnings Call

   Warner Music Group disclosed a whopping $650 million in catalog expenditure since its joint venture with Bain Capital was established last year. Warner Music Group (WMG) just posted its Q2 financials, with $1.7 billion in revenue for the company, a 17% increase over last year. Recorded music revenue was also up 17% to $1.38 billion, […]

3. WMG & Paramount Pictures Announce Partnership for Theatrical Films Focused on Iconic Artists & Songwriters

   Warner Music Group and Paramount Pictures announce a partnership for theatrical films focused on iconic artists and songwriters in a multi-year deal. Paramount Pictures and Warner Music Group (WMG) have announced a multi-year deal that will partner the companies on theatrical films, drawing on the lives and music of WMG’s storied roster of artists and […]

4. Bonnie Tyler Undergoes Emergency Intestinal Surgery, Placed in Induced Coma to Aid Recovery

   Bonnie Tyler has been placed in an induced coma to assist her recovery following emergency intestinal surgery in Portugal. On Wednesday, Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler was rushed to a hospital near her home in Faro, Portugal, for emergency intestinal surgery. Now, a spokesperson for Tyler has announced that the 74-year-old was placed in an induced […]

5. Court Rejects NVIDIA Contributory Claim Dismissal Attempt in Authors’ Suit; Chipmaker ‘Knew That Its Scripts Were Directly Contributing to Infringement’

   Despite the Supreme Court’s Cox v. Sony Music decision – and the subsequent end of multiple contributory infringement suits – a federal judge has denied NVIDIA’s attempt to dismiss a related claim in its copyright showdown with authors. The presiding judge just recently rejected several dismissal arguments from NVIDIA, which did, however, manage to beat […]

6. Sphere’s Secret Weapon Isn’t Metallica or the Eagles. It’s an 87-Year-Old Classic Film.

   Things are good at Sphere Entertainment, which has reported a double-digit Q1 2026 revenue increase and has now seen its stock more than quadruple in value since May 2025. Sphere Entertainment (NYSE: SPHR) just recently shed light on its first-quarter financials, including nearly $266 million in revenue (up 69% YoY) for the namesake Las Vegas […]

7. Vietnam Triggers a Major Piracy Crackdown In the Face of Renewed Trump Tariff Threats

   Vietnam is cracking down on online piracy and counterfeit goods, as well as copyright violations by media that includes movies, music, and TV shows. Starting today (May 7), Vietnam is launching a new “high-intensity” crackdown on online piracy and counterfeit goods in a move to boost detection by one-fifth, according to the Southeast Asian nation’s […]

8. Major Cuts at Ticketmaster: Company Cuts 350 Jobs Worldwide as Live Nation Divestiture Dangles

   Ticketmaster cut 8% of its global staff, or around 350 employees, in its engineering, product, and design divisions. The company also cut contractors. Ticketmaster has cut 8% of its global staff this week, according to a new report from Pollstar. The cuts effect approximately 350 employees across 25 countries, primarily in its engineering, product, and […]

9. Dynamic Pricing Strikes Again! Olivia Rodrigo’s AMEX/Ticketmaster Pre-Sale Quickly Devolves Into a Price-Spiked Nightmare

   Ticketmaster’s dynamic pricing strikes again, angering fans with exorbitant ticket prices that some said should be “illegal” for an arena show. Olivia Rodrigo is embarking on the “Unraveled Tour,” a global trek with 65-plus dates in support of her forthcoming third album—but fans are already disgruntled over the pre-sale ticket prices. Unfortunately, it’s a tale […]

10. France’s SACEM Discloses Nearly $1.8 Billion in 2025 Distributions Amid Continued International Growth, Tech Upgrades

    Due in part to continued international collections growth, France’s Society of Authors, Composers and Publishers of Music (SACEM) distributed a little over €1.5 billion (currently $1.77 billion) last year. That’s according to SACEM’s newly released 2025 annual report, which identified total collections of $2.01 billion/€1.71 billion (up 6% year over year). An all-encompassing online category...

11. Spotify Data Analysis Reveals the Secret Formula for Winning the Eurovision Song Contest

    As the Eurovision Song Contest marks its 70th anniversary, Spotify data provides unique insights into what makes a winning entry. Eurovision 2026 draws ever nearer, and Spotify has revealed newly released data that provides a deep dive into European listening habits and the most popular entries of all time. As one of the key moments […]

12. Sony Music Edges Closer to Acquiring Blackstone’s Recognition Music, According to Multiple Reports

    Sony Music Group is in the home stretch to acquire Blackstone’s Recognition Music Group at a $3.5 billion to $4 billion price tag. Sony Music Group is negotiating with Blackstone to acquire Recognition Music Group, according to reports from Bloomberg. If completed, the deal would be Sony’s third and largest acquisition of assets previously held […]

13. Is the King of Pop Coming for Queen? ‘Michael’ Is Now the 10th Highest-Grossing Biopic of All Time

    Michael continues to drive fans to the theater at a record pace, with worldwide box office numbers surpassing $430.3 million after its second week. Antoine Fuqua’s Michael Jackson biopic continues to exceed expectations, with overseas numbers boosting its overall worldwide success following its second weekend. Now, Michael has surpassed The Intouchables at the worldwide box […]

14. Time for a Takeover? Universal Music ‘Really Needs a Reset’ and ‘Has to Do Something’ Amid Rumored Investor Concerns, Pershing’s Bill Ackman Says

    Universal Music Group (UMG) “has to do something” and “really needs a reset” amid rumored investor concerns as well as a sagging share price – at least according to Pershing Square’s Bill Ackman, who’s weighing in after unveiling a $64 billion offer for the major label conglomerate. Ackman made these and other comments during a […]

15. Universal Music Fires Back Against Salt-N-Pepa Appeal in High-Stakes Copyright Termination Legal Battle

    Universal Music Group (UMG) has fired back against Salt-N-Pepa’s appeal in a high-stakes rights-reversion case involving “Push It” and a number of other well-known works. DMN’s been covering that courtroom confrontation since May 2025, when Salt-N-Pepa sued the major label for allegedly failing to honor a legitimate 2022 termination notice. Therein, Salt and Pepa sought […]