Worldwide Independent Network (WIN) appoints Chairman and Vice Chairs
"The Board meeting of the international independent music association WIN at Midem this year marked the completion of AlisonWenham’s two-years of inaugural Presidency, which has seen this grouping extend its membership to labels and independent music trade associations in 25 countries across all continents, while providing collective impetus for the formation of Merlin (www.merlinnetwork.org) to work with the independent sector in commercial exploitation of their copyrights.
The WIN Board unanimously requested Wenham to continue to lead the organisation for the next two years. In line with firmer constitutional proposals relating to structure and funding of WIN, which were also agreed, the organisation reserved the Presidency as a titular position for a possible future appointment and Wenham was voted Chairman. The widening business and geographical focus of WIN was recognised with the appointment of four Vice Chairmen: David Vodicka, Chairman of Australian Independent Records (AIR); Mark Chung, Chairman of German independents trade body VUT; Portia Sabin, representing the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM); and Duncan McKie, President and CEO Canadian Independent Record Production Association (CIRPA)." [RecordOfTheDay]
BPI not impressed with IP Minister’s comments
"Needless to say really, record label trade body the BPI wasn't thrilled by those previously reported comments made by the UK's Intellectual Property Minister David Lammy and printed in The Times. As previously reported, Lammy told the paper that he didn't think the government could introduce laws to force ISPs to cut off persistent file sharers - as some have suggested should happen - because such measures would be wrapped up in legal problems.
But perhaps more worryingly for those who advocate new laws to force net firms to take a more proactive role in policing online piracy, he implied he wasn't completely convinced about the need for legislation to combat filesharing, telling the paper: "We can't have a system where we're talking about arresting teenagers in their bedrooms. People can rent a room in an hotel and leave with a bar of soap - there's a big difference between leaving with a bar of soap and leaving with the television"." [CMUDaily]
WIN reappoint Wenham to top job
"Elsewhere in trade body news, the globally focused body for the indie label sector, the World Independent Network, has confirmed that Alison Wenham, boss of the UK's Association Of Independent Music, will continue to head up the worldwide indie body too. She was re-elected into the top job at a meeting at MIDEM, though her job title will change from President to Chairman because of plans to appoint a titular President to act as a spokesperson for the body." [CMUDaily]
Meeting in the Commons to discuss copyright term
"A meeting organised by the all important Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group and recording royalty body PPL next Monday will discuss all things copyright extension. The meeting will take place in the House Of Commons, though will centre more on the progress of legislation at a European level regarding increasing the European recordings copyright term from the current fifty years to something nearer the 95 year term enjoyed by record labels in the US." [CMUDaily]
More from the Tenenbaum Case - The last big P2P lawsuit squabble
"The Recording Industry Association Of America is appealing the judge's ruling regarding the webcasting of that previously reported P2P court case against Boston University student Joel Tenenbaum. As previously reported, the Havard law professor advising Tenenbaum, Charles Nesson, requested that the court case - what could be one of the last RIAA P2P lawsuits against an individual file sharer given the trade body's recent change of strategy - be webcast on the internet, arguing that the case was of great interest to the net community and it should be made public in a way they are comfortable with. Somewhat surprisingly, Judge Nancy Gertner agreed.
The RIAA don't want the case to be webcast to the world, possibly because, while US copyright law is generally on their side when it comes to illegal file sharing, all sorts of tricky and, for the record industry, tedious technicalities can come up when cases go to court. Such technicalities being aired over the web could look bad for the record industry." [CMUDaily]
Showing posts with label AIM. Show all posts
Showing posts with label AIM. Show all posts
12/15/08
Music News Bulletin - 15/12/08
Distributor EUK Winds Down, 700 Jobs Cut
"Entertainment wholesale distributor EUK has failed to attract a buyer and the business will now be wound down by the administrators. EUK, which was part of Woolworths Group, will continue to operate with a reduced workforce of 375 employees. Seven hundred employees were made redundant today (Dec. 12) and efforts to sell the business as a going concern will be scaled down.
EUK was placed in administration - roughly equivalent to Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. - on Nov. 27 along with Woolworths' retail business. The 800-plus stores launched a closing down sale yesterday (Dec. 12). EUK's customers include entertainment retailer Zavvi and mass merchants Sainsbury and Asda as well as Woolworths. However, stores were forced to seek alternative supplies when EUK failed to provide key titles by Take That and Britney Spears on Dec. 1." [BillBoard]
EUK to be wound down
"Administrators are to wind down EUK after Deloitte failed to find a buyer for the distributor. A skeleton staff of 375 employees will stay on at EUK to help with the process of winding down but the move means the immediate loss of 700 jobs.
Staff were told this morning that Deloitte had failed to find a buyer for EUK, after an interested party pulled out earlier in the week. Dan Butters, joint administrator and reorganisation services partner at Deloitte, says, “Regrettably, despite our continued efforts, we have been unable to identify a suitable buyer for the business. Whilst we will continue to consider offers for the sale of the business as a going concern, we will now focus on realising value from the company’s assets." [MusicWeek]
ERA calls for calm
"The Entertainment Retailers Association has called on labels to support music retail in the wake of the crisis at Woolworths/EUK and the ongoing problems of Zavvi.
Administrator Deloitte said last Friday that it was winding down EUK, after failing to find a buyer, while Woolworths’ stores embarked last week on a whirlwind “closing-down” sale. Meanwhile, Zavvi was forced to deny stories that its creditors had called in an emergency restructuring team.
ERA, which represents retailers of music, video, DVD and computer games, is warning that unless suppliers continue to trade on normal credit terms with the retailers caught up in these difficult situations, they could create further difficulties in the market." [MusicWeek]
AIM Lawyers Cancel Pinnacle Contracts
“Independent labels' trade body AIM's lawyers have written to the administrators of Pinnacle terminating dozens of labels' contracts with the distributor.
The independent distributor based in Sidcup, Kent went into administration - roughly equivalent to Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. - on Dec. 3. AIM held an emergency meeting at is west London HQ yesterday for labels affected.
A letter has now been sent on behalf of 92 labels to the administrators BDO Stoy Hayward. The letter states that the 92 labels are terminating their agreements with Pinnacle and asks for confirmation that the labels can collect their stock from the premises.” [BillBoard]
Pinnacle Administration
“Administrators were appointed on Wednesday 3rd December in respect of Pinnacle, one of the UK’s oldest and largest independent distributors. An emergency meeting was held at AIM (The Association of Independent Music), and we have appointed Martyn Bailey from Forbes Anderson Free and barrister Philip Flower to take appropriate action.
A letter has been sent today on behalf of 92 labels to the administrators BDO Stoy Hayward terminating their agreements with Pinnacle and asking for confirmation from the administrators that the labels can collect their stock from the premises.” [RecordOfTheDay]
"Entertainment wholesale distributor EUK has failed to attract a buyer and the business will now be wound down by the administrators. EUK, which was part of Woolworths Group, will continue to operate with a reduced workforce of 375 employees. Seven hundred employees were made redundant today (Dec. 12) and efforts to sell the business as a going concern will be scaled down.
EUK was placed in administration - roughly equivalent to Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. - on Nov. 27 along with Woolworths' retail business. The 800-plus stores launched a closing down sale yesterday (Dec. 12). EUK's customers include entertainment retailer Zavvi and mass merchants Sainsbury and Asda as well as Woolworths. However, stores were forced to seek alternative supplies when EUK failed to provide key titles by Take That and Britney Spears on Dec. 1." [BillBoard]
EUK to be wound down
"Administrators are to wind down EUK after Deloitte failed to find a buyer for the distributor. A skeleton staff of 375 employees will stay on at EUK to help with the process of winding down but the move means the immediate loss of 700 jobs.
Staff were told this morning that Deloitte had failed to find a buyer for EUK, after an interested party pulled out earlier in the week. Dan Butters, joint administrator and reorganisation services partner at Deloitte, says, “Regrettably, despite our continued efforts, we have been unable to identify a suitable buyer for the business. Whilst we will continue to consider offers for the sale of the business as a going concern, we will now focus on realising value from the company’s assets." [MusicWeek]
ERA calls for calm
"The Entertainment Retailers Association has called on labels to support music retail in the wake of the crisis at Woolworths/EUK and the ongoing problems of Zavvi.
Administrator Deloitte said last Friday that it was winding down EUK, after failing to find a buyer, while Woolworths’ stores embarked last week on a whirlwind “closing-down” sale. Meanwhile, Zavvi was forced to deny stories that its creditors had called in an emergency restructuring team.
ERA, which represents retailers of music, video, DVD and computer games, is warning that unless suppliers continue to trade on normal credit terms with the retailers caught up in these difficult situations, they could create further difficulties in the market." [MusicWeek]
AIM Lawyers Cancel Pinnacle Contracts
“Independent labels' trade body AIM's lawyers have written to the administrators of Pinnacle terminating dozens of labels' contracts with the distributor.
The independent distributor based in Sidcup, Kent went into administration - roughly equivalent to Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. - on Dec. 3. AIM held an emergency meeting at is west London HQ yesterday for labels affected.
A letter has now been sent on behalf of 92 labels to the administrators BDO Stoy Hayward. The letter states that the 92 labels are terminating their agreements with Pinnacle and asks for confirmation that the labels can collect their stock from the premises.” [BillBoard]
Pinnacle Administration
“Administrators were appointed on Wednesday 3rd December in respect of Pinnacle, one of the UK’s oldest and largest independent distributors. An emergency meeting was held at AIM (The Association of Independent Music), and we have appointed Martyn Bailey from Forbes Anderson Free and barrister Philip Flower to take appropriate action.
A letter has been sent today on behalf of 92 labels to the administrators BDO Stoy Hayward terminating their agreements with Pinnacle and asking for confirmation from the administrators that the labels can collect their stock from the premises.” [RecordOfTheDay]
12/5/08
Music News Bulletin - 05/12/08
AIM Advises Labels On Pinnacle
"U.K. independent labels trade body AIM has called an emergency meeting after independent distribution company Pinnacle Entertainment went into administration. Although calls at the company's HQ in Sidcup, Kent were not answered, accountancy firm BDO Stoy Hayward confirmed it had been appointed as the administrator today (Dec. 3). The move is roughly equivalent to Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. Following an initial review of the company, 94 staff have been made redundant.
Pinnacle claimed to distribute releases from more than 400 record labels, as well as DVDs and software. It handled releases by Dramatico, including Katie Melua, as well as Bella Union and One Little Indian. "The Katie Melua Collection" is one of the biggest current releases affected." [Billboard]
Pinnacle Collapse A 'Nightmare' For Indies
"U.K. independent labels' representatives have consulted a lawyer through trade body AIM after independent distribution company Pinnacle went into administration on Dec. 3, roughly equivalent to Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. Around 60 labels were represented at the meeting today (Dec. 4) at AIM's HQ in Chiswick, west London, along with authors' collecting society MCPS, iTunes and Pinnacle's digital management partner Consolidated Independent.
The mood was described as "very serious" by one attendee, although Cooking Vinyl founder and managing director Martin Goldschmidt tells Billboard.biz, "It's a horrible time but the meeting was very productive."
At least 300 physical release labels are affected and even more digital labels; U.S. acts affected include Sub Pop's Fleet Foxes, licensed to Bella Union in the U.K.
Label bosses consulted with barrister Philip Flower, a specialist in corporate insolvency. It has emerged that many labels are unhappy with the terms offered by the administrators BDO Stoy Hayward regarding the return of stock." [Billboard]
Pinnacle goes into administration
"Distributor Pinnacle has gone into administration, with the loss of 94 jobs. The company, which distributes labels such as Dramatico and One Little Indian, reportedly told staff the news this morning. Senior executives are believed to be in meetings this afternoon in an attempt to resolve the situation.
Staff are not answering phones at the company’s Sidcup headquarters and there is no indication on its website www.pinnacle-entertainment.co.uk. However, adminstrators Matthew Tait and David Gilbert at BDO Stoy Hayward confirmed the news this afternoon." [MusicWeek]
Amazon MP3 launches in the UK
"Amazon has soft launched its long-awaited MP3 store in the UK, offering MP3 downloads from all four of the majors and several independent labels at bargain prices. Amazon launched its MP3 store in the US late in 2007 and promised at Midem 2008 that it would roll this out globally by the end of the year.
The launch has been long rumoured, with early reports suggesting that it would launch in September. The site, which operates off the main Amazon.co.uk site, is competing on price, with albums such as Take That’s The Circus available for just £3. Hits such as Girls Alouds’ Promises are available at 59p. Tracks on the site are encoded using variable bit rates for maximum audio quality and smaller file sizes, aiming at an average of 256kbps." [MusicWeek]
Online seen claiming 41 pct share of U.S. music market
"Digital music sales account for 18 percent of the U.S. music market and that figure will grow to 41 percent in five years, Forrester Research said in a report released on Monday. The report titled "U.S. Music Forecast, 2008 to 2013" also forecast that 55 percent of U.S. online consumers will pay to download digital music in 2013.
JupiterResearch, a division of Massachusetts-based independent company Forrester Research, said in the report that growth in digital music sales will not compensate for declining CD sales, with the overall U.S. music market shrinking over the next five years from its current level of $10.2 billion to $9.8 billion.
The report also noted crossover between CD and digital music purchases. In a survey, researchers found that 64 percent of subscribers to digital music services and 57 percent of consumers who download music have bought a CD in a store in the past year.
The Forrester Research report comes as digital music sales have emerged as the main growth sector for the U.S. music industry. While online piracy has long accounted for the bulk of digital music downloads, the Forrester Research report noted that paying for music downloads is increasingly popular. The researchers also credited companies such as Amazon.com Inc with helping propel digital music sales by allowing consumers to buy digital music that can be transferred between different devices without restrictions." [Reuters]
Worst Industry Statement of 2008
"Seymour Stein, VP at Warner Music Group and founder of Sire Records, as quoted by the Globe and Mail: We blew it. The first major music labels were all phonograph manufacturers, but by the time the Beatles came along, most companies were no longer involved in the hardware. Had we remained in control of the hardware, we wouldn't be hurting as much as we are now. And the iPod would be ours.
This is a joke, right? I get his attempt at logic, but the argument is not only quite a stretch, it is a sad combination of wishful thinking and Monday morning quarterbacking. More realistic would be something like, "We should have got into management, ticketing, e-commerce and merchandise when we had the chance." Either way, such exercises are moot. No point talking about what could have been. Just worry about what is possible." [Coolfer]
"U.K. independent labels trade body AIM has called an emergency meeting after independent distribution company Pinnacle Entertainment went into administration. Although calls at the company's HQ in Sidcup, Kent were not answered, accountancy firm BDO Stoy Hayward confirmed it had been appointed as the administrator today (Dec. 3). The move is roughly equivalent to Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. Following an initial review of the company, 94 staff have been made redundant.
Pinnacle claimed to distribute releases from more than 400 record labels, as well as DVDs and software. It handled releases by Dramatico, including Katie Melua, as well as Bella Union and One Little Indian. "The Katie Melua Collection" is one of the biggest current releases affected." [Billboard]
Pinnacle Collapse A 'Nightmare' For Indies
"U.K. independent labels' representatives have consulted a lawyer through trade body AIM after independent distribution company Pinnacle went into administration on Dec. 3, roughly equivalent to Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. Around 60 labels were represented at the meeting today (Dec. 4) at AIM's HQ in Chiswick, west London, along with authors' collecting society MCPS, iTunes and Pinnacle's digital management partner Consolidated Independent.
The mood was described as "very serious" by one attendee, although Cooking Vinyl founder and managing director Martin Goldschmidt tells Billboard.biz, "It's a horrible time but the meeting was very productive."
At least 300 physical release labels are affected and even more digital labels; U.S. acts affected include Sub Pop's Fleet Foxes, licensed to Bella Union in the U.K.
Label bosses consulted with barrister Philip Flower, a specialist in corporate insolvency. It has emerged that many labels are unhappy with the terms offered by the administrators BDO Stoy Hayward regarding the return of stock." [Billboard]
Pinnacle goes into administration
"Distributor Pinnacle has gone into administration, with the loss of 94 jobs. The company, which distributes labels such as Dramatico and One Little Indian, reportedly told staff the news this morning. Senior executives are believed to be in meetings this afternoon in an attempt to resolve the situation.
Staff are not answering phones at the company’s Sidcup headquarters and there is no indication on its website www.pinnacle-entertainment.co.uk. However, adminstrators Matthew Tait and David Gilbert at BDO Stoy Hayward confirmed the news this afternoon." [MusicWeek]
Amazon MP3 launches in the UK
"Amazon has soft launched its long-awaited MP3 store in the UK, offering MP3 downloads from all four of the majors and several independent labels at bargain prices. Amazon launched its MP3 store in the US late in 2007 and promised at Midem 2008 that it would roll this out globally by the end of the year.
The launch has been long rumoured, with early reports suggesting that it would launch in September. The site, which operates off the main Amazon.co.uk site, is competing on price, with albums such as Take That’s The Circus available for just £3. Hits such as Girls Alouds’ Promises are available at 59p. Tracks on the site are encoded using variable bit rates for maximum audio quality and smaller file sizes, aiming at an average of 256kbps." [MusicWeek]
Online seen claiming 41 pct share of U.S. music market
"Digital music sales account for 18 percent of the U.S. music market and that figure will grow to 41 percent in five years, Forrester Research said in a report released on Monday. The report titled "U.S. Music Forecast, 2008 to 2013" also forecast that 55 percent of U.S. online consumers will pay to download digital music in 2013.
JupiterResearch, a division of Massachusetts-based independent company Forrester Research, said in the report that growth in digital music sales will not compensate for declining CD sales, with the overall U.S. music market shrinking over the next five years from its current level of $10.2 billion to $9.8 billion.
The report also noted crossover between CD and digital music purchases. In a survey, researchers found that 64 percent of subscribers to digital music services and 57 percent of consumers who download music have bought a CD in a store in the past year.
The Forrester Research report comes as digital music sales have emerged as the main growth sector for the U.S. music industry. While online piracy has long accounted for the bulk of digital music downloads, the Forrester Research report noted that paying for music downloads is increasingly popular. The researchers also credited companies such as Amazon.com Inc with helping propel digital music sales by allowing consumers to buy digital music that can be transferred between different devices without restrictions." [Reuters]
Worst Industry Statement of 2008
"Seymour Stein, VP at Warner Music Group and founder of Sire Records, as quoted by the Globe and Mail: We blew it. The first major music labels were all phonograph manufacturers, but by the time the Beatles came along, most companies were no longer involved in the hardware. Had we remained in control of the hardware, we wouldn't be hurting as much as we are now. And the iPod would be ours.
This is a joke, right? I get his attempt at logic, but the argument is not only quite a stretch, it is a sad combination of wishful thinking and Monday morning quarterbacking. More realistic would be something like, "We should have got into management, ticketing, e-commerce and merchandise when we had the chance." Either way, such exercises are moot. No point talking about what could have been. Just worry about what is possible." [Coolfer]
9/29/08
Music News Bulletin - 29/09/08
Industry Groups Reach Agreement On Internet Royalties 23/09/08
"In an agreement that ends some cases of litigation and encourages new ways for consumers to listen to music online, a number of key industry groups have reached an agreement on digital royalties and have sent the recommendations to the Copyright Royalty judges. This agreement was necessary to encourage new models without scaring away current and future entrepreneurs and enthusiasts." [Coolfer]
Survey Reveals Opportunities, Threats of Unlimited Music Services 29/09/08
"Today's music industry is often one step forward, one or two steps back. As progress is made in new formats, products and services, revenue is lost in the abandonment of older formats and products. With unlimited mobile music services on the horizon, now is the time to ponder their impact." [Coolfer]
CEO David Pakman to Depart eMusic 29/09/08
"eMusic, the world's largest retailer of independent music and the world's second-largest digital music service after iTunes, today announced that President and Chief Executive Officer David Pakman will depart the company. Pakman will become a partner at a premier venture capital firm. The name of the firm is undisclosed. eMusic has retained the Barlow Group, a Connecticut-based executive search firm to recruit a new chief executive." [MarketWatch]
Free Music: Good or Bad and/or Inevitable? 29/09/08
"While reading the comments to Michael Arrington's positive review of MySpace Music at TechCrunch (seen via Idolator), I came across two comments that perfectly sum up the worries about free music. The move toward free music (free streaming, actually, not free everything) is an inevitable and positive step, but it brings with it permanent changes. Both comments point to the public's attention going to the most popular artists at the expense of everyone else." [Coolfer]
So Long, Music Week 29/09/08
"As of today, I'm a former reader of the Music Week website. Amidst changes to the print publication and a redesign of the website, articles have been hidden behind a subscription wall. Not just its charts and features are inaccessible. The previously accessible short daily news bites are behind a subscription wall. The only free content I could find is the infrequently updated A&R Blog. The UK trade publication offers news that gets overlooked in the U.S. and it's unfortunate that I will no longer be able to read and link to their articles." [Coolfer]
High Drama Over Digital Royalties 28/09/08
"There was a high level of drama this weekend as supporters of Internet radio, spurred by a plea from Pandora, voiced their support for the law passed by the House on Saturday. The Webcaster Settlement Act authorizes SoundExchange to negotiate new royalty agreements for Internet radio through February 15, 2009." [Coolfer]
New organisation to represent industry 26/09/08
"An historic agreement was reached yesterday afternoon with eight industry bodies, including the BPI and AIM, signing up to launch a new umbrella organisation that will “present a unified industry voice” to be headed by BMR chairman Andy Heath and chief executive Feargal Sharkey." [MusicWeek]
Pirate Bay Wins Court Case, Italian Block Lifted 25/09/08
"The Pirate Bay has successfully appealed the decision of an Italian judge who had ordered ISPs to block access to the popular BitTorrent tracker last month. The Court of Bergamo decided that this block was unlawful, and that Italian users should regain access to the site." [TorrentFreak]
A Chat With Merlin CEO Charles Caldas 25/09/08
"Earlier this month, MySpace finalized deals with three of the four majors -- only EMI has yet to join -- to create MySpace Music. The majors will receive equity in the standalone company and will receive a share of its ad revenue." [Coolfer]
Poptastic MySpace Music launches, without indies: Big splash for Big Music 26/09/08
"MySpace Music, the ambitious new joint venture between the major record labels and News Corporation, has finally gone live. Don't let the name mislead you - the only thing it has in common with the scrappy ethos of the original "MySpace" is the name.
Executives have said they want the service to be "the new MTV", and the launch offering certainly lives up to those low ambitions." [TheRegister]
"In an agreement that ends some cases of litigation and encourages new ways for consumers to listen to music online, a number of key industry groups have reached an agreement on digital royalties and have sent the recommendations to the Copyright Royalty judges. This agreement was necessary to encourage new models without scaring away current and future entrepreneurs and enthusiasts." [Coolfer]
Survey Reveals Opportunities, Threats of Unlimited Music Services 29/09/08
"Today's music industry is often one step forward, one or two steps back. As progress is made in new formats, products and services, revenue is lost in the abandonment of older formats and products. With unlimited mobile music services on the horizon, now is the time to ponder their impact." [Coolfer]
CEO David Pakman to Depart eMusic 29/09/08
"eMusic, the world's largest retailer of independent music and the world's second-largest digital music service after iTunes, today announced that President and Chief Executive Officer David Pakman will depart the company. Pakman will become a partner at a premier venture capital firm. The name of the firm is undisclosed. eMusic has retained the Barlow Group, a Connecticut-based executive search firm to recruit a new chief executive." [MarketWatch]
Free Music: Good or Bad and/or Inevitable? 29/09/08
"While reading the comments to Michael Arrington's positive review of MySpace Music at TechCrunch (seen via Idolator), I came across two comments that perfectly sum up the worries about free music. The move toward free music (free streaming, actually, not free everything) is an inevitable and positive step, but it brings with it permanent changes. Both comments point to the public's attention going to the most popular artists at the expense of everyone else." [Coolfer]
So Long, Music Week 29/09/08
"As of today, I'm a former reader of the Music Week website. Amidst changes to the print publication and a redesign of the website, articles have been hidden behind a subscription wall. Not just its charts and features are inaccessible. The previously accessible short daily news bites are behind a subscription wall. The only free content I could find is the infrequently updated A&R Blog. The UK trade publication offers news that gets overlooked in the U.S. and it's unfortunate that I will no longer be able to read and link to their articles." [Coolfer]
High Drama Over Digital Royalties 28/09/08
"There was a high level of drama this weekend as supporters of Internet radio, spurred by a plea from Pandora, voiced their support for the law passed by the House on Saturday. The Webcaster Settlement Act authorizes SoundExchange to negotiate new royalty agreements for Internet radio through February 15, 2009." [Coolfer]
New organisation to represent industry 26/09/08
"An historic agreement was reached yesterday afternoon with eight industry bodies, including the BPI and AIM, signing up to launch a new umbrella organisation that will “present a unified industry voice” to be headed by BMR chairman Andy Heath and chief executive Feargal Sharkey." [MusicWeek]
Pirate Bay Wins Court Case, Italian Block Lifted 25/09/08
"The Pirate Bay has successfully appealed the decision of an Italian judge who had ordered ISPs to block access to the popular BitTorrent tracker last month. The Court of Bergamo decided that this block was unlawful, and that Italian users should regain access to the site." [TorrentFreak]
A Chat With Merlin CEO Charles Caldas 25/09/08
"Earlier this month, MySpace finalized deals with three of the four majors -- only EMI has yet to join -- to create MySpace Music. The majors will receive equity in the standalone company and will receive a share of its ad revenue." [Coolfer]
Poptastic MySpace Music launches, without indies: Big splash for Big Music 26/09/08
"MySpace Music, the ambitious new joint venture between the major record labels and News Corporation, has finally gone live. Don't let the name mislead you - the only thing it has in common with the scrappy ethos of the original "MySpace" is the name.
Executives have said they want the service to be "the new MTV", and the launch offering certainly lives up to those low ambitions." [TheRegister]
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
