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. YouTube’s Ad Revenue Exceeds That of Its Four Largest Traditional Media Competitors Combined

   YouTube generates more ad revenue than Disney, NBC, Paramount, and Warner Bros. Discovery combined, and dwarfs its rivals in TV viewership. New research from media firm MoffettNathanson has determined that YouTube is now the world’s biggest media company, with advertising revenue that exceeds that of its four largest traditional media competitors—Disney, NBC, Paramount, and Warner […]

2. Warner Chappell Music Renews Global Deal with Stromae’s Mosaert Label

   Warner Chappell Music renews its worldwide administration deal with Belgian artist Stromae’s label Mosaert, in a deal led by WCM France. Mosaert, the independent creative house and publishing company founded by legendary Belgian artist Stromae, has renewed its worldwide administration deal with Warner Chappell Music (WCM), the publishing arm of Warner Music Group. Led by […]

3. Patreon CEO Slams AI for Stealing From Artists: ‘I’m Angry That We Aren’t Being Paid’

   Patreon co-founder and CEO Jack Conte shared his thoughts on AI and the future of creative work, and he’s angry artists aren’t being paid for their contributions to LLM. On Tuesday, Patreon co-founder and CEO Jack Conte posted a lengthy video sharing his thoughts on artificial intelligence and its place in the future of creative […]

4. What Is A ‘Commercial Research Exception’? Britain’s Proposed AI Loophole Stirs Opposition Among Creators

   The UK is debating a ‘commercial research exception’ for copyright law that would allow AI companies to train their models on protected creative works without first needing to seek permission. Many artists and creators see this as a loophole that hands Big Tech a win at their expense. Right now, UK copyright strictly limits copying […]

5. Bad Bunny Beats Copyright Suit After Adding Multiple Writers to ‘Enséñame a Bailar’ — Federal Judge Says the Plaintiffs ‘Abandoned’ the Case

   One credits expansion later, Bad Bunny – as well as Spotify, Apple Music, Sony Music’s The Orchard, and others – has officially beaten a copyright complaint centering on “Enséñame a Bailar.” That infringement action just recently drew to a close after both plaintiffs, UK-headquartered emPawa Africa and Nigeria-based artist Dera (real name Ezeani Chidera Godfrey), […]

6. 26 States (Plus D.C.) Seek Mistrial in Live Nation Legal Battle — Ticketmaster Parent Pushes for Settlement Conference as Part of ‘Pragmatic Solution’

   On the heels of the Justice Department’s Live Nation settlement, more than two dozen states are plowing ahead with litigation – and aggressively pushing for a mistrial. The relevant states entreated the court to declare a mistrial yesterday, soon after the DOJ and Live Nation revealed their mid-trial agreement. Of course, it’s not every day […]

7. Reservoir Media Inks Expanded Hans Zimmer Deal, Signs Multiple Execs to Fresh Employment Agreements Amid Takeover Battle

   There’s quite a lot going on at Reservoir, which has finalized an expanded Hans Zimmer deal and revealed fresh employment agreements with execs including CEO Golnar Khosrowshahi. Reservoir formally announced its Hans Zimmer pact today, a decade and change after first investing in the German composer’s body of work. In the company’s own words, it’s […]

8. Bon Jovi: The Movie—Universal Sets Out to Make A Very Big Major Musical Motion Picture

   Universal Pictures closes a deal to make a definitive biopic about the early years of the legendary New Jersey rock band Bon Jovi. Multiple studios vied for the rights to back a definitive Bon Jovi biopic, and Universal Pictures has closed the deal. The studio has made an investment that will include the participation of […]

9. TikTok Won’t Be Killed By Canadian Government, After All

   The Canadian government will let TikTok continue to operate in Canada, subject to new legal stipulations, after completing a national security review. On Monday, the Canadian government announced that it will allow TikTok to continue operation in Canada after completing a national security review. The approval is subject to new legally binding stipulations, and will […]

10. What’s Investor Sentiment on Music These Days? Now There’s a Study for That

    Fourth Pillar’s Music Investment Barometer offers the first dedicated study into the views, behaviors, and outlook of global music investors — and the mood is decidedly bullish. Corporate and financial strategic communications firm Fourth Pillar has announced the findings of its inaugural Music Investment Barometer, the first dedicated study designed to track sentiment across the […]

11. Anna’s Archive Sued by Lengthy List of Publishers—Book Publishers, That Is

    A coalition of major book publishers files suit against Anna’s Archive over “staggering” levels of piracy, echoing the suit filed by Spotify and several major record labels in December. A group of 13 major book publishers, including HarperCollins, Penguin Random House, and Elsevier, has filed a lawsuit against the shadow library Anna’s Archive. The filing […]

12. Indie Artist Coalition Files Major Lawsuit Against Google Over AI Copyright Theft—’Broadest, Most Comprehensive Attack’ Against AI Music Models

    A group of independent musicians is suing Google over the alleged widespread theft and distribution of copyrighted material. A coalition of independent musicians from across the United States has filed a lawsuit against tech giant Google over more than just allegations that the company’s AI models rely on stealing and copying original works. In fact, […]

13. GEMA v. Suno Copyright Case Ramps Up in Germany — High-Stakes Ruling Officially Scheduled for June 12th

    As one high-profile music-world trial draws to an abrupt close, another case is ramping up: Over in Germany, proceedings are officially underway in GEMA’s copyright infringement action against Suno. We initially covered that action in early 2025, shortly after GEMA submitted the suit to the Munich Regional Court. And against the backdrop of stateside Suno […]

14. USA vs. Live Nation Is Officially Over: DOJ’s Case Abruptly Settled — With Some Very Important Concessions

    The U.S. Department of Justice’s case against Live Nation has abruptly been settled, according to a raft of details confirmed to Digital Music News by the concert giant. For months, sources to Digital Music News had indicated — even promised — that USA v. Live Nation would never head to trial, thanks to feverish, late-stage […]

15. Out of the Frying Pan, Into the Many Fires: Nearly 30 States Vow to Continue Litigating Against Live Nation Following Trial-Ending DOJ Settlement

    Live Nation has settled with the Justice Department, but more than 25 states have disclosed plans to continue litigating against the Ticketmaster parent. Several of those states’ attorneys general confirmed as much today, shortly after Live Nation and the DOJ reached a trial-ending agreement. As we broke down, the agreement contains significant concessions — the […]