Kenny Rogers Sues Capitol Records Over Royalties
Kenny Rogers is suing Capitol Records for their failure to pay out royalties owed to him through digital downloads of his music, as well as the use of his music in ringtones. According to a suit filed in the District Court of Tennessee , the complaint alleges that Capitol Records failed to pay Rogers for … Read more
Anonymous Hacks RIAA, Universal Music, & DOJ Websites Following Megaupload Shutdown
“Hacktivist” group Anonymous has attacked the websites of the Recorded Industry Association Of America (RIAA), Universal Music, BMI, and the US Department Of Justice, in repsonse to Federal prosecutors shutting down the popular streaming website Megaupload. A Department of Justice representative commented to CNN: “We are having website problems, but we’re not sure what it’s … Read more
The Velvet Underground Sue Andy Warhol Foundation
The Velvet Underground have sued the Andy Warhol Foundation for Visual Arts for illegally using Warhol’s banana image from the cover of their album The Velvet Underground & Nico. The group have accused the Andy Warhol Foundation of trademark infringement, saying it illegally licensed the famous banana logo for use on other products. Under the suit filed … Read more
EU Court Decides ISPs Can’t Be Forced To Block File Sharers
The European Court of Justice ruled that it is illegal for countries to force internet providers to block illegal filesharing on a blanket basis at their own expense. In what is already being described as a landmark ruling, the European Court of Justice found that: “EU law precludes the imposition of an injunction by a … Read more
Universal Vs Grooveshark
Universal Music has filed a lawsuit against Grooveshark over alleged copyright violations. Universal claims that Grooveshark has allowed users to upload and stream over 100,000 songs illicitly, for which Universal is seeking maximum damages of $150,000. Universal obtained the documents through a legal discovery process, as part of a previous lawsuit filed by the major label, that saw Grooveshark being … Read more
IMPALA Calls on EU Regulating Committees To Reject EMI Deal
Citigroup has sold off EMI’s recorded music division to Universal Music for $1.9 billion, as well as selling off EMI’s publishing division to Sony Corp for $2.2 billion. The breakup of the EMI, ends a nine- month bidding war, after Citigroup seized EMI in February after investor Guy Hands fell out of compliance with loan … Read more
The New Economics Of The Music Industry
Contributing Editor for Rolling Stone, Steve Knopper, has written an article for the music magazine’s website on the current economics within the music industry. The article focuses on how the artist’s royalty income has been affected from online music stores, streaming services , as well as online subscription services, and online radio. In addition to this, Knopper has also … Read more
EU Extends Copyright Term
The European Union has extended the term of copyright protection offered to sound recordings from 50 to 70 years. The legislation was passed on September 12, by the EU Council of Ministers in Brussels, after a prolonged campaign from the music industry. The extension was first proposed by the European Commission back in 2008 and … Read more
Village People Frontman Testing Copyright Law
The original lead singer of the Village People, Victor Willis, has filed papers to regain ownership and control of 32 Village People songs, including ‘Y.M.C.A’, in a court case that could be the first of its kind in the USA. Under US Copyright Law, there is a provision which returns ownership of creative works to … Read more
Ghostface Killah Sues Universal Music
Ghostface Killah (real name Dennis Cole) has filed a lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) for allegedly violating his record contract and stiffing him on copyright royalties. At the same time he’s fending off a lawsuit brought by a Hollywood composer who objects to the way the hip hop artist sampled the “Iron Man Theme” for a 2000 … Read more
