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. USA v. Live Nation Day One Is a Wrap — Opening Arguments Explore the Promoter’s Alleged ‘Gouging,’ Michael Rapino’s Alleged ‘Threats,’ and the Eras Tour Ticketing Fiasco

   Day one of the high-stakes USA v. Live Nation trial is in the books, and following opening arguments, “logistical issues” delayed an initial witness testimony until tomorrow. Meanwhile, the promoter has fired off fresh motions in an attempt to exclude artist-compensation evidence. As we previously broke down, Live Nation’s prior set of motions – including […]

2. Supreme Court Declines to Review a Monumental AI Copyright Decision — Leaving the ‘Human Authorship’ Standard In Place

   The Supreme Court has opted against hearing a case concerning an attempt to copyright AI-generated artwork – thereby leaving in place an appellate court’s determination that the Copyright Act “requires all eligible work to be authored in the first instance by a human being.” That cert rejection surfaced (along with a number of others) in […]

3. Pipeline Officially Acquires Clarty, Says It’s Transformed ‘Into a Data-Driven, End-to-End Music Asset Financing Platform’

   B2B advance specialist Pipeline is putting its $200 million war chest to good use, as it’s officially acquired catalog appraiser Clarty Partners. London-based Pipeline reached out with word of the Clarty purchase today, a month and change after setting sail with the aforementioned funding in place. As we noted then, the debuting business’s executive roster […]

4. Amazon to Sunsets Wondery After Acquiring It Nearly Six Years Ago

   Amazon plans to sunset the Wondery podcast app and subscription service Wondery+ in the coming months, after acquiring the brand in late 2020. Amazon is ready to sunset the Wondery podcast app and Wondery+ subscription service, according to customer notices posted on Tuesday on the Wondery website. While Amazon hasn’t provided a specific date by […]

5. Robert Kyncl Say Music Streaming Is Way Too Cheap — And the Music Industry’s ‘Wallet Share’ Way Too Low

   Robert Kyncl publishes a letter to Warner Music Group shareholders talking up the value of AI and renegotiated deals with digital service providers. Warner Music Group (WMG) CEO Robert Kyncl has released a letter to shareholders that pushes the potential of AI to drive WMG’s value ever upward in the financial market. The timing is […]

6. Time for More Korean Global Blow-Ups? WMG Locks Arms With Lee Young Ji’s Management Agency, Mainstream

   Warner Music Group secures a partnership with South Korean management agency Mainstream, home to talent like Lee Young Ji. Warner Music Group (WMG) has announced a new music partnership deal with South Korean management agency Mainstream, the agency responsible for talent like Lee Young Ji and Kik5o. The first co-production release under this deal is […]

7. 90s Band Lit Says Sony Music Is Their Own Worst Enemy — And Still Owes Them $800,000

   90s rockers Lit are suing Sony Music Entertainment over an alleged breach of contract and unpaid streaming royalties of over $800,000. Rock band Lit, best known for the 90s hit “My Own Worst Enemy,” has filed a lawsuit against Sony Music Entertainment (SME) over an alleged breach of contract. The band claims the music giant […]

8. Marshall Group Makes Financial Commitment to Support Independent Music Venues

   Marshall Group announces the launch of Amplify, a new membership program providing long-term support for grassroots music venues worldwide. Audio, tech, and design powerhouse Marshall Group has announced the launch of Amplify, a new membership program embedding long-term support for grassroots music. Through Ampify, Marshall will commit an amount equal to 1% of member purchases […]

9. CA Attorney General Comes Out Swinging Ahead of Live Nation Antitrust Trial Kickoff — Judge Rejects Last-Minute Stay Request, Jury Selection Officially Wraps

   A federal judge has rejected Live Nation’s last-minute attempt to pause the DOJ’s antitrust case, and jury selection has officially wrapped. Meanwhile, ahead of the high-stakes trial’s kickoff, California’s attorney general has come out swinging against the promoter’s “illegal” practices. We covered the most noteworthy element of this attempt, a push for interlocutory appeal centering […]

10. Paramount Reveals Warner Bros. Plans After Edging Out Netflix — Music Industry Eyes Mega-Deal’s Licensing Impact as Combined Paramount+ and HBO Max Service Takes Shape

    With Paramount having officially topped Netflix to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), the focus is now shifting to the mega-deal’s approval process, resulting one-stop streaming platform, and significance for the music industry. Both Netflix and Paramount recently put out releases confirming the development – and an end to their months-long bidding war. Additionally, Paramount today […]

11. Justin Timberlake Taking Aggressive Legal Steps to Block DWI Arrest Video

    Justin Timberlake is suing the luxe Long Island town of Sag Harbor in a move to block the public release of the bodycam footage of his DWI arrest. Justin Timberlake is going to great lengths to stop the public release of bodycam footage of his drunk driving arrest, a video that would certainly carry tremendous […]

12. Too Lost Launches Profile Defender to Shield Artists From AI-Driven Fakes

    As artificial intelligence continues reshaping how music is created and distributed, it has also introduced significant challenges. Perhaps the most egregious is unauthorized music appearing under legitimate artists’ names and profiles on digital streaming providers. Last year, Digital Music News reported on AI tracks added to folk music artist Blaze Foley’s Spotify page and the […]

13. Salt-N-Pepa Honored with NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame Award

    Salt-N-Pepa and longtime producer DJ Spinderella were honored with the prestigious Hall of Fame Award at this year’s NAACP Image Awards. Over the weekend, hip-hop legends Salt-N-Pepa and longtime producer DJ Spinderella were honored with the prestigious Hall of Fame Award at the NAACP Image Awards. It’s the latest accolade in a culture-defining career, following […]

14. Eras Tour Architects Join Forces: TAIT Acquires Silent House with Mega-Concerts, Festivals, Films in Mind

    Staging and live events leader TAIT acquires creative agency and production studio Silent House, formalizing a long-standing partnership. Staging, automation, and live event engineering leader TAIT has announced the acquisition of Silent House Group, an Emmy Award-winning creative agency and production studio. The acquisition formalizes a long-standing partnership between the two companies and...

15. Netflix Won’t Be Acquiring Warner Bros., Though They Did Score a Nice Harry Styles Exclusive

    Netflix will debut Harry Styles’ Manchester concert on Sunday, March 8, featuring the first-ever live performance of the superstar’s new album. Harry Styles’ live show at the Co-Op Arena in Manchester, where he will be playing his new album, Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally, will premiere on Netflix on Sunday, March 8—two days after […]