Welcome to Music Business Worldwide’s Weekly Round-up
Welcome to Music Business Worldwide’s Weekly Round-up – where we ensure you catch the five biggest stories making headlines over the past week. This round-up is exclusively supported by BMI, a global leader in performing rights management dedicated to supporting songwriters, composers, and publishers while championing the value of music.
1. Suno Inks Global Licensing Deal with BMG
In an exciting development, Suno, the AI music-making platform, has announced a global licensing deal with BMG. This collaboration establishes a strategic framework encompassing BMG’s vast recorded music and music publishing repertoire. The deal introduces an opt-in element for BMG’s roster, ensuring that artists and songwriters who choose to participate are aptly compensated and their rights are protected. Furthermore, this agreement settles the previous use of BMG’s recordings and publishing works, reflecting a positive step for creators navigating the intersection of AI and music.
2. Spotify Forges Agreement with Kobalt
Building on its recent partnerships, Spotify has signed a licensing agreement with Kobalt for an innovative tool that will facilitate AI-generated covers and remixes by fans. This latest partnership follows agreements with both Universal Music Group and Merlin, marking Spotify’s first deal with a publisher aside from Universal. This tool aims to harness fan creativity while ensuring proper rights management, a crucial aspect in this new frontier of music-making.
3. New Download Limits Introduced by Suno
In another announcement, Suno is placing limitations on the number of songs that subscribers can download. Effective September 3, Pro subscribers will be restricted to 20 downloads per month, while Premier users will have a cap of 60. This shift comes as a response to concerns about ‘bad actors’ potentially mass-exporting music, demonstrating Suno’s commitment to safeguarding the integrity of its platform and the rights of artists.
4. Live Nation’s Merch Traffic Takes Action Against Counterfeit Sellers
In a bold move, Merch Traffic, a subsidiary of Live Nation Entertainment, has filed a trademark lawsuit against anonymous online sellers accused of peddling counterfeit merchandise for renowned artists such as Nirvana, Bruno Mars, and The Notorious B.I.G. The lawsuit, filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, highlights the ongoing battle against fake merchandise that dilutes the authenticity of artist branding. The defendants are identified only through a “Schedule A” attached to the filing, indicating the challenges in apprehending illicit sellers operating in the online space.
5. Spotify Introduces ‘AI Persona’ Badge
In a significant move to clarify the frontiers of music identity, Spotify is launching an AI Persona label. This badge will identify artists whose profiles are created through artificial intelligence, informing listeners that these identities may not represent real individuals. By implementing this initiative, Spotify is not only enhancing transparency but also making strides towards ethical considerations surrounding AI-generated music. This move reflects a growing acknowledgment within the industry of the nuanced implications of AI in music creation and consumption.
Stay tuned for more updates as these stories continue to unfold and impact the music business landscape. Each week brings new challenges and opportunities, illuminating the dynamic interplay between technology, creativity, and commerce in the world of music.