Copyright & Media Update 3/22/2019

March 22, 2019

IP lawyer explains importance for composers to control their work

LOUISIANA RECORD: In response to numerous New Orleans establishments being sued for playing unlicensed music, an intellectual property expert who spoke with Louisiana Record explained that playing music without a license is, in fact, a crime. READ MORE…

Music Publishers Sue Luxury Exercise Brand Peloton in $150M Copyright Infringement Lawsuit

Music Business Worldwide: Music publishers are suing luxury exercise brand Peloton in a $150 million copyright infringement lawsuit. The publishers include National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) members Downtown Music Publishing, Pulse Music Publishing, ole, peermusic, Ultra Music, Big Deal Music, Reservoir, Round Hill, TRO Essex Music Group and The Royalty Network. Peloton is being sued for infringement of more than 1,000 musical works. READ MORE…

If Spotify Is Holding Town Halls for Songwriters, They Must Be Open (Guest Column)

VARIETY: Earlier this month, Amazon, Google, SiriusXM and Spotify challenged the Copyright Royalty Board’s decision to increase the compulsory mechanical rates paid to songwriters by 44% over the next five years. The streamers have come under fierce criticism for the move, which they claim is over the complexities of the CRB’s rules but is widely assumed to be an attempt to obtain a more favorable rate. Over the weekend, news broke — via a leaked private email from Advanced Alternative Media CEO Mark Beaven — that Spotify is considering holding Town Halls for songwriters in Los Angeles and Nashville to discuss the matter. READ MORE…

Why Spotify’s Appeal of The CRB Rate Decision Is A Huge Deal For Songwriters And Publishers

BILLBOARD: Is Spotify suing songwriters? The company says no. But it did file an appeal to the Copyright Royalty Board’s rate determination, which consists of a three-step formula that ultimately produces a royalty amount that is paid to publishers, and thus songwriters, in exchange for a mechanical license — or, in other words, for the right to host the song. READ MORE…

Universal Music Group Prevails In ‘Generic Lyrics’ Copyright Infringement Suit

DIGITAL MUSIC NEWS: Plaintiff Alisa Apps just couldn’t prove that UMG and John Newman had ripped off her generic lyrics. Two years ago, singer/songwriter Alisa Apps filed a lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) and British pop star John Newman. According to Apps, Newman and UMG had blatantly ripped off her song, “Need To Know.”  Specifically, both had knowingly used Apps’ lyrics “I need to know now” in Newman’s “Love Me Again.” READ MORE…

About Christian Copyright Solutions: CCS’s quest is to help churches and Christian ministries “do music right.”  CCS is an expert on church music copyrights and our primary focus is providing licensing and clear educational resources to churches. Follow us onTwitter, Facebook, Instagram, andYoutube. The information contained herein is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice or a substitute for legal counsel.

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