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Billboard
Jimmy Nichols, Nashville Session Musician and Touring Musical Director, Dead at 64
Nichols is known for his work as a pianist, session musician and musical director who has worked with artists including Reba McEntire, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw.
Jul 14, 2026 · Read at publisher →
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Billboard
Nicki Minaj Owes $230K in Unpaid Legal Bills, Law Firm Says — and Judge Might Force Her to Pay Up
A judge is weighing a default judgment after Minaj failed to respond to a lawsuit demanding payment of a hefty legal bill from a 2023 copyright case.
Jul 14, 2026 · Read at publisher →
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Music Business Worldwide
Pophouse acquires stake in Iron Maiden’s catalog, name, image & likeness rights
Pophouse Entertainment has entered into a partnership with influential British heavy metal band Iron Maiden Source
Jul 14, 2026 · Read at publisher →
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Music Business Worldwide
Why a fight over 61,000 recordings could shape the future of AI music licensing
The 61,026 recordings would carry a theoretical maximum statutory damage of $9 billion, up from around $84 million under the original 560-work complaint. Source
Jul 14, 2026 · Read at publisher →
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Music Business Worldwide
Fuerza Regida’s push to exit Rancho Humilde deal under the ‘seven-year rule’ survives dismissal bid
Rancho sued the band in 2025 over what it called unauthorized performances, and Fuerza Regida countersued, alleging the label withheld royalties. Source
Jul 14, 2026 · Read at publisher →
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Music Business Worldwide
Meta scraps AI Muse Image feature that scraped Instagram accounts, following CAA backlash
Under the opt-out design, the public Instagram account of any adult artist could be referenced by other users to generate AI images unless the artist switched the feature off Source
Jul 13, 2026 · Read at publisher →
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Music Business Worldwide
Judge dismisses Epidemic Sound’s second copyright lawsuit against Meta – but leaves the door open to amend
US District Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley granted Meta's motion to dismiss on Friday, July 10 Source
Jul 13, 2026 · Read at publisher →
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Variety
Tubi Taps Shannon Olivas to Lead Communications and Publicity
Netflix and DreamWorks Animation veteran Shannon Olivas has joined Fox Corp.’s ad-supported streaming giant Tubi has head of communications and publicity. Olivas will lead communications strategy for Fox Tubi for consumer, advertiser, product, entertainment-related PR as well as corporate communica…
Jul 14, 2026 · Read at publisher →
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The Hollywood Reporter
Music Coalition Pushes for AI Labels on Streaming Services
“Fans want to know whether and how generative AI has been used in the music to which they listen,” the CEOs of the RIAA and IFPI said in a joint statement on Friday.
Jul 10, 2026 · Read at publisher →
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The Trichordist
This Isn’t Just Copyright—It’s Trade Discrimination Against American Creators
Readers of this blog know we’ve spent years supporting the American Music Fairness Act and its predecessor legislation, as well as the tireless efforts of the MusicFIRST… Read more "This Isn’t Just Copyright—It’s Trade Discrimination Against American Creators"
Jul 13, 2026 · Read at publisher →
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The Trichordist
Songwriters Are Being Asked to Accept Something We’ve Never Seen Before
The first Phonorecords V settlement leaves songwriters with more questions than answers: little evidence of meaningful negotiation, no discussion of AI, and—for the first time—a statutory rate structure that could actually allow the minimum mechanical royalty to decline.
Jul 2, 2026 · Read at publisher →
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The Trichordist
Europe at the Crossroads: Will the Law Strengthen Authors’ Rights or Surrender the “Crown Jewels” of Human Creativity? @Helienne Lindvall’s ECSA Keynote
ECSA President Helienne Lindvall argues that Europe's AI future depends on protecting authors' rights, transparency, consent, and the value of human creativity.
Jun 29, 2026 · Read at publisher →
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The Trichordist
Don’t Freeze Mechanicals Again
As the next Phonorecords proceeding approaches, one issue deserves attention: should the physical and download mechanical royalty rate reset to 12¢, or should the 2027 adjusted rate become the new baseline? Resetting the clock would effectively erase previously awarded increases and undermine the p…
Jun 17, 2026 · Read at publisher →
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The Trichordist
As Suno Celebrated a $5.4 Billion Valuation, Artists Took Their Message Directly to Wall Street
As Suno celebrated a $5.4 billion valuation, artists brought their concerns directly to investors, linking AI copyright disputes to America’s growing data-center backlash.
Jun 4, 2026 · Read at publisher →
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The Trichordist
@musicFIRST: Pass the American Music Fairness Act
The American Music Fairness Act aims to require U.S. terrestrial radio stations to pay artists for their recordings. This legislation addresses a longstanding loophole, ensuring fair compensation similar to that provided by digital platforms.
May 28, 2026 · Read at publisher →
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The Trichordist
A Subtle Shift in US AI Policy and Why Artists Should Pay Attention
A rumored AI executive order ahead of a Trump China visit may signal a shift toward stronger protections—one that could finally start to recognize artist value.
May 12, 2026 · Read at publisher →
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Digital Music News
Inside LANDR’s Fair Trade AI Program for Indie Artists: An Opt-In AI Licensing Model with Revenue Share and Upfront Payments
LANDR is moving its Fair Trade AI program into a new phase, introducing an upfront payment program and an expanded revenue model that directly compensates independent artists for AI training use. The initiative now includes more than 30,000 artists. LANDR will begin issuing its first payouts this m…
Jul 14, 2026 · Read at publisher →
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Digital Music News
Spotify, YouTube, Apple, and Amazon Just Love the Labels’ AI-Tagging Program—If Only They Could Get the Metadata to Work
The trade association representing music streamers issued a response to the recorded music industry’s announcement of a new AI labeling program. Trade organization Digital Media Association (DIMA), which represents music streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, Amazon, Qobuz, Feed.fm,…
Jul 14, 2026 · Read at publisher →
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Digital Music News
ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus Says We Might Be Doing AI Licensing Deals Wrong
CISAC President and ABBA co-founder Björn Ulvaeus gave a detailed speech about creators’ relationship with AI at the UN’s AI for Good Summit in Geneva, while questioning the approach of some licensing dealmakers. Björn Ulvaeus, CISAC President and ABBA co-founder, gave his most detailed lecture yet…
Jul 13, 2026 · Read at publisher →
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Digital Music News
CRB Officially Posts Proposed Phonorecords V Settlement for Comment — Eminem Publisher Eight Mile Style, Songwriters Guild, Others Demand Higher Rates
Two weeks later, the Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) has officially made the proposed Phonorecords V “Subpart B” settlement available for comment, and the opposing parties now have until August 10th to weigh in. The CRB quietly kicked off Phono V’s settlement-comment period this past Friday, after Ju…
Jul 13, 2026 · Read at publisher →
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Digital Music News
Sam Smith and Normani Just Can’t Put This ‘Dancing With a Stranger’ Lawsuit to Bed
Sam Smith and Normani asked a federal judge to toss out a copyright lawsuit that alleges their 2019 hit “Dancing With a Stranger” copies an earlier track with a similar name. It’s been a long road for Sam Smith and Normani, who previously triumphed against a long-running copyright lawsuit that alle…
Jul 13, 2026 · Read at publisher →
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Artist Rights Watch
The Constitutional Domino Effect: How a Bill About the Librarian of Congress Could Reshape the Copyright System
Proposed legislation changing the appointment authority for the Librarian of Congress may disrupt the constitutional framework governing the Copyright Royalty Board and the Mechanical Licensing Collective, raising significant legal concerns.
Jul 2, 2026 · Read at publisher →
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Artist Rights Watch
National AI Data Center Day of Protest: A Growing Movement for Transparency and Local Control
As communities prepare for the National AI Data Center Day of Protest, Claremore, Oklahoma has become the defining case study in transparency, public participation, and AI infrastructure governance.
Jun 27, 2026 · Read at publisher →
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Artist Rights Watch
Careless People, Meta, and the Freedom to Publish
Sarah Wynn-Williams’ Careless People won the Freedom to Publish Award while Meta and Mark Zuckerberg personally are defendants in multiple copyright lawsuits alleging Zuckerberg directed Facebook/Meta employees to use pirated books via BitTorrent to train AI systems.
May 25, 2026 · Read at publisher →
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Artist Rights Watch
@ArtistRights Institute Newsletter 05/11/26: New WH Executive Orders; Data Center Construction Stalls; CRB lets GMR get pushed out of PRV; Infrasound Contamination
Artist Rights Institute Newsletter 05/11/26: New WH Executive Orders; Data Center Construction Stalls; CRB lets GMR get pushed out of PRV; Infrasound Contamination
May 12, 2026 · Read at publisher →
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Artist Rights Watch
Misconceptions in Progress for AI’s “Misconceptions” Paper
A new Progress for AI paper by former Copyright Office attorney Anna Chauvet argues that generative AI training is protected fair use because models learn “patterns” rather than protected expression. This critique explains why the paper functions less as neutral scholarship and more as a policy bri…
May 6, 2026 · Read at publisher →
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Artist Rights Watch
@ArtistRights Institute Newsletter 05/4/26: SAG-AFTRA Tentative Settlement; Spotify Payola Case Goes to Arbitration while Texas AG Opens Payola Investigation; Alex Mayer Strikes Again; Data Centers in Greenland; Board Liability in AI Infringement
SAG-AFTRA has reached a tentative settlement with major studios. Spotify faces ongoing payola legal challenges. Opposition to AI data centers is rising, with growing opposition in rural America and scrutiny of big tech practices.
May 5, 2026 · Read at publisher →
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Electronic Frontier Foundation
Sony Nerfs Videogame Ownership
Legal intern Suzanne Castillo co-authored this post. Playstation’s decision to kill physical game discs is the latest attack on our diminishing rights to access and engage with culture digitally. Rent-seeking corporations and negligent lawmakers share the blame–and they can do better. We’ve seen th…
Jul 13, 2026 · Read at publisher →
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Electronic Frontier Foundation
Building Our Future Together
In my first weeks as Executive Director of EFF, I’ve been reminded every day how consequential this moment is in determining what kind of future we will have. We are on the edge. What each one of us steps up to do – with our expertise, energy, and resources – will determine whether our future is on…
Jul 10, 2026 · Read at publisher →
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Electronic Frontier Foundation
Automated Moderation Is Here to Stay—Accountability Must Keep Pace
This post is part 2 in a series about automated content moderation. Read the first post here . When whistleblower Frances Haugen leaked a set of documents from Meta in 2020, among the revelations was a jarring statistic: The company’s algorithms designed to detect terrorist content incorrectly dele…
Jul 10, 2026 · Read at publisher →
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Electronic Frontier Foundation
"We Want Texans to Know Their Rights": Q&A with Mayday Health on the Impact of Surveillance on Abortion Care
Last May, EFF reported that a sheriff’s office in Texas searched data from more than 83,000 automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras to track down a woman suspected of self-managing an abortion. ALPRs are promoted as tools for keeping communities safe by finding missing persons and locating st…
Jul 9, 2026 · Read at publisher →
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Electronic Frontier Foundation
The House Passed The KIDS Act—The Senate Should Reject It
Last week, the House voted on the KIDS Act , a disjointed package of legislation that seeks to control Americans’ web browsing and private messaging. The package combines a revised version of the Kids Online Safety Act ( KOSA), with several other internet bills, study bills, reporting requirements,…
Jul 9, 2026 · Read at publisher →
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Electronic Frontier Foundation
European Commission Chooses to Keep EU Users Locked Up Behind Big Tech’s Gates
Users are always seeking more control over their social networking experience to make it better, whether to improve privacy or enhance flexibility. Interoperability between social networking platforms like Facebook and TikTok has so many benefits that solve those issues. Say you’re on multiple plat…
Jul 9, 2026 · Read at publisher →
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Electronic Frontier Foundation
Google's New Remote Attestation Scheme is As Bad As Its Old One
Google owes its existence to the open web, but today, its technological “innovations” have much to do with locking users into a “walled garden.” The latest of these is “ reCAPTCHA Mobile Verification ,” an experimental initiative that will let companies block users if they are running independent,…
Jul 9, 2026 · Read at publisher →
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Electronic Frontier Foundation
Automated Moderation Is Here to Stay
This blog post is part 1 of a 2-part series. The second part sets out recommendations for companies and policymakers. Six years ago—one month into a global pandemic—we argued that the automated moderation processes many platforms were rapidly adopting should be highly transparent, easily appealable…
Jul 7, 2026 · Read at publisher →
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Electronic Frontier Foundation
Help EFF Cut the AI Hype
In the global race to build and dominate the AI industry, it can sure seem like the interests of ordinary people sit last on the agenda. It's just the opposite for EFF. While companies furiously jam AI tools into their veins and your eyeballs, EFF’s technologists, activists, and attorneys have been…
Jul 7, 2026 · Read at publisher →
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Electronic Frontier Foundation
LGBT Q&A: How Can I Wipe Online Data That Points To My Queer Identity?
This Pride, we’re answering all your digital rights questions in season two of our initiative, LGBT Q&A . You Asked: Is there a way for me to wipe data about me online that could point to my queer identity? EFF’s Answer: You cannot protect everything all the time, but there are ways to wipe informa…
Jul 2, 2026 · Read at publisher →
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Electronic Frontier Foundation
EFF and Allies: X’s FTC Petition to Waive Privacy Violation Order Should be Rejected
X Corp. should not be able to escape privacy compliance because it changed its name. On May 15, X Corp. filed a petition before the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to set aside or modify an order issued in 2022 requiring the company to report regularly to the FTC for its violations of user data. The…
Jul 2, 2026 · Read at publisher →
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Electronic Frontier Foundation
LGBT Q&A: What Data Are Companies in the UK Collecting When Verifying My Age?
This Pride, we’re answering all your digital rights questions in season two of our initiative, LGBT Q&A . You Asked: I live in the UK, and we have age verification now on a bunch of websites (including Reddit) and now on iPhones. Can you explain what sort of data companies are actually collecting w…
Jun 30, 2026 · Read at publisher →
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Electronic Frontier Foundation
EFF to Gov. Pritzker: Veto Illinois’ HB 5511
The Illinois legislature recently passed House Bill 5511 , which imposes a sweeping, device-level age-gating framework across nearly all internet-enabled hardware, operating systems, and online services. This well-intentioned but deeply flawed piece of legislation will harm young people who rely on…
Jun 29, 2026 · Read at publisher →
