European Copyright Society Says Performer ER on Streams, Like Introduced in Belgium, Is a “Lawful Mechanism Under EU Copyright Law”
The European Copyright Society (ECS) has released a paper asserting that Belgium’s 2022 performer equitable remuneration (ER) right for streaming complies with EU copyright law. The ECS argues the mechanism merely reallocates existing revenue rather than creating a double‑payment scenario. EU courts will hear challenges from record labels and streaming platforms next month, with a decision expected by early 2027. The outcome could reshape royalty structures across the EU, influencing how performers and session musicians are compensated for digital streams.
🎧 Approved: Holy Wave
Austin‑based psych‑rock outfit Holy Wave has dropped the new single “dewey’s dirge,” a swirling track that previews their upcoming album “i’m DADA.” The song, described by frontman Ryan Fuson as a meditation on change, showcases shifting tempos and abrupt tonal...
CMU Selects - the Last Week’s Standout Releases
CMU Selects highlighted five notable singles released last week across the indie and alternative spectrum. Blossoms shifted to a romantic disco sound with “Meet Me In Love,” while Basht. delivered a bass‑driven “Keira Knightley” inspired by a classic film cue....
US Supreme Court Needs to Stop Termination Rights “Chaos”, Say Majors
Major music publishers—including Sony, Universal, Warner Chappell and BMG—have filed a petition asking the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the Fifth Circuit’s Vetter v Resnik decision, which permits songwriters to terminate and reclaim worldwide rights after 35 years. The lower courts...
Japan Amends Copyright Law so that Artists and Labels Will Get Public Performance Royalties for the First Time
Japan’s parliament approved amendments to its copyright law, granting artists and record labels public performance royalties for the first time. The change removes a long‑standing exemption that denied payments when recordings are played in venues such as pubs, clubs and...
UK Government Should Prioritise Tackling Post-Brexit Touring Issues at Next EU Summit, MPs Tell Ministers
MPs have urged the UK government to make practical solutions for touring artists a priority at the next UK‑EU summit. Their Culture Select Committee report highlights visa fragmentation, carnet costs and cabotage rules as the main post‑Brexit barriers. The committee...
New Ticketing Regulations Needed, Irish Politicians Say, Following Collapse of DEAG’s tickets.ie
Irish politicians are urging new ticketing regulations after DEAG‑owned tickets.ie entered liquidation, leaving three festivals owed nearly €598,000 (about $652,000). The festivals filed High Court papers seeking an Azets‑appointed liquidator and suspect the platform’s shutdown was timed to avoid payments....
Criminal Defamation Charges No Longer on the Cards for HYBE Execs Who Claimed Former Ador Boss Consulted Shamans - because,...
South Korean prosecutors have decided not to file criminal defamation charges against ten HYBE executives, including former CEO Park Ji-won, over allegations that former Ador founder Min Hee‑jin consulted shamans. The decision follows an investigation into defamation, plagiarism and privacy...
🎧 Approved: Girls In Hawaii
Belgian brothers behind Girls In Hawaii have broken a six‑year silence with the dreamy single “Eldorado,” the lead track from their sixth studio album slated for a September release. The band, known for lush, melancholic indie pop that built a...
Fallout From Cox Mega-Damages Reversal Continues as Publishers Streamline Anthropic Claims and Labels Ditch Copycat Verizon Case
The U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Cox Communications ruling, tightening the definition of contributory copyright infringement to require intent to induce or a service tailored to infringement. The decision cleared Verizon and other ISPs, including RCN, of pending piracy lawsuits,...
SoundExchange Boss Says All EU Countries Must Change Copyright Rules so European Radio Royalties Flow to American Performers
SoundExchange CEO Michael Huppe welcomed Ireland’s amendment to its copyright law, which now obliges Irish radio royalties to be paid to American performers. The change stems from an EU court ruling that mandates all member states to allow such payments,...
PRS Sues Gaming Platform Giant Steam for Copyright Infringement
UK collecting society PRS has filed a lawsuit against Valve’s Steam platform, alleging that Steam distributes games containing music by PRS members without securing the required "making available" licences. PRS argues that while game publishers obtain sync licences for in‑game...
Chance The Rapper and Pat The Manager Bust-Up Heads to Court over Disputed Sunset Clause
Chance The Rapper and former manager Pat Corcoran are in a five‑year Illinois court fight over an alleged sunset clause in an unwritten 2013 management agreement. Corcoran claims the clause entitles him to 15% commissions for three years after their 2020...
Australia’s Rolling Loud Gets Cancelled as Festival and Promoter Pin Blame on Each Other
Rolling Loud’s Australian editions in Sydney and Melbourne were cancelled at the last minute after a dispute with local promoter Primuse Entertainment over missed payment deadlines. Rolling Loud said the financial shortfall left it without guarantees needed for safety and...
ProtonVPN Says It Shouldn’t Have to Cut Off Pirates - but Fails to Convince French Courts
A French court rejected ProtonVPN’s arguments against mandatory blocking of sports piracy sites, compelling the Swiss VPN provider to enforce the order in France. ProtonVPN claimed the block violated the EU’s Open Internet Regulation and would cause technical overreach, but...