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Spotify Is Now Fighting 10 Different Copyright Lawsuits — at $1 Billion-Plus In Possible Damages

September 14, 2017

How do you go from 'billion-dollar IPO' to 'billions in potential damages'? Welcome to Spotify's fun-filled week. Should Spotify pay a license to 'reproduce' songs on its platform? That's now the billion... Read More...

This Year, Not a Single Grammy Winner Thanked Radio. Here’s Why.

Paul Resnikoff

September 8, 2017

Radio used to make Grammy winners. Now they don't even get mentioned. What's going on? Is traditional radio dying? That depends on who you ask. Traditional, 'terrestrial' radio has been on death watch ... Read More...

Exclusive: Ed Sheeran Faces Yet Another Multi-Million Dollar Copyright Lawsuit

Paul Resnikoff

July 14, 2017

Last year, Ed Sheeran got served with a multi-million dollar copyright infringement lawsuit. Now, he's dealing with another one. Updated, Sun Jul 16th: In our first version of this article, we wrongly attri... Read More...

Kylie Jenner and Kendall Jenner are once again in trouble, this time for superimposing their photos on BIG and Tupac images (among others) and trying to make a profit. Never ones to shy away from controversy, Kylie Jenner and Kendall Jenner have once again come under fire. Despite a public apology, Tupac Shakur and BIG’s respective estates may sue the Jenners. To capitalize on their fame, Kylie Jenner and Kendall Jenner decided to sell their likeness over artists’ images. As part of their “Rap vs. Rock” campaign in the Kendall + Kylie collection, the Jenners somehow thought it would be a clever idea to take iconic images, superimpose their photos and make a profit. The entire music industry, along with fans and the internet, disagreed. The T-shirts included iconic images of Tupac Shakur, Notorious BIG, The Doors, Pink Floyd, and Ozzy Osbourne, among others. They sold the “rare” and “vintage” T-shirts on their website for a hefty $125 each. Once the internet got ahold of the news, however, people blasted Kendall and Kylie Jenner on social media. This attracted the attention of multiple musicians and their respective agencies. In one vintage T-shirt, the sisters superimposed an image of themselves over Notorious BIG and Tupac Shakur. Notorious BIG’s mother, Voletta Wallace, took to Instagram to condemn the products. She questioned the sisters’ mentality and logic behind selling such items without permission. I am not sure who told @kyliejenner and @kendalljenner that they had the right to do this. The disrespect of these girls to not even reach out to me or anyone connected to the estate baffles me. I have no idea why they feel they can exploit the deaths of 2pac and my Son Christopher to sell a t-shirt. This is disrespectful , disgusting, and exploitation at its worst!!! Una publicación compartida de Voletta Wallace (@volettawallace) el 29 de Jun de 2017 a la(s) 9:31 PDT Kendall and Kylie Jenner had also posted their likeness over a shirt featuring Ozzy Osbourne. His wife, Sharon Osbourne, immediately blasted the singers on Twitter. She stated that the girls hadn’t “earned the right” to put their face on musical icons. Sharon Osbourne also added a veiled jab at the Jenners’ vanity and lack of musical experience. Girls, you haven’t earned the right to put your face with musical icons. Stick to what you know…lip gloss. pic.twitter.com/BhmuUVrDBn— Sharon Osbourne (@MrsSOsbourne) 29 de junio de 2017 Paris Jackson, the daughter of the late King of Pop, criticized the sisters. On Twitter, following Osbourne’s statement, she said that the sisters had no right to associate themselves with iconic groups. Jackson tweeted, “as a huge fan of zeppelin, the* doors, Floyd.. I mean these bands literally helped shape who I am today. I can’t condone this ‘fashion.’” The sisters have since taken down the entire “Rap vs. Rock” catalog. A 404 page now appears. Yet, showing that the Jenners have not understood their mistakes, a message invites fans to make purchases of other content. The error page reads, “The page you requested does not exist. Continue shopping.” Kendall Jenner has since issued a public apology. She wrote on Twitter, “These designs were not well thought out and we deeply apologize to anyone that has been upset and/or offended, especially to the families of the artists. We are huge fans of their music and it was not our intention to disrespect these cultural icons in anyway. The tee shirts have been pulled from retail and all images have been removed. We will use this as an opportunity to learn from theses mistakes, and again we are very sorry.” Fans immediately took to Twitter to defend Kendall Jenner and Kylie Jenner. One fan told Kendall Jenner, “no apologies necessary.” However, had a small-time rapper performed the same stunt with the Jenners’ likeness, how quickly would their fans criticize the move? How quickly would the small-time rappers face a hefty sued from the Jenners? The publicity stunt also attracted the attention of lawyers for the respective estates of Tupac Shakur and Notorious BIG. Despite the public apology, Notorious BIG’s estate hinted at possible legal action in a statement to People magazine. The estate said, “While we appreciate that the Jenners have made an apology and pulled the unlawful and unauthorized items, this matter has yet to be resolved.” Image by Disney | ABC Television Group (CC by 2.0)

Kendall and Kylie Jenner Face Major Legal Action from B.I.G., Doors, Tupac Estates

Daniel Sanchez

June 30, 2017

Kylie Jenner and Kendall Jenner just stepped in something serious. After superimposing their photos on Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac images (among others) and trying to make a profit off of it, the respective e... Read More...

Tupac Film ‘All Eyez on Me’ Slapped With 2nd Lawsuit In 2 Days

Daniel Sanchez

June 28, 2017

Tupac Shakur biopic All Eyez On Me is attracting three things: money, critics, and lawsuits. While derided by critics, the popular Tupac Shakur biography All Eyez On Me continues posting strong box office nu... Read More...

Windows 10 ‘Kill Switch’ Can Identify and Block All Illegal Downloads

Paul Resnikoff

May 14, 2017

It's been called the ultimate 'kill switch'. But will Microsoft 'turn on' Windows 10 capabilities to snuff out illegally-obtained (and shared) downloads? Major content owners have largely focused their anti... Read More...

Riddle Me This: Can You Sue Over Pantera's Guitar Design?

Guy Who Designed Dimebag Darrell’s Guitar Hasn’t Been Paid a Penny

Daniel Sanchez

April 25, 2017

You make a guitar design for a friend. That friend ends up going famous in Pantera. A company likes the design, so they “borrow” it. What do you do? Sue. An instrument designer says he was the one who hel... Read More...

Why Donald Trump Should Destroy the US Copyright Office

Paul Resnikoff

April 13, 2017

Want to fix copyright law in the United States? Then start by destroying the US Copyright Office. The US Copyright Office doesn't have a leader. There isn't a 'Register'. And why is that? Well, the last ... Read More...

Here’s the 5 Page Bill That Puts the US Copyright Office In Trump’s Hands

Paul Resnikoff

March 29, 2017

The US Copyright Office is about to dramatically change. Here's the fast-tracked, 5-page bill that will perform that transformation. For those just tuning in, the US Copyright Office is about to experience ... Read More...

Breaking: Supreme Court Refuses to Hear Pre-1972 Copyright Case

Supreme Court Refuses to Hear ‘Oldies’ Copyright Case

Daniel Sanchez

March 28, 2017

Why did the Supreme Court refuse to hear this pre-1972, 'oldies' music case? Federal copyright law in the United States only protects sound recordings released on 1972 and afterwards. But confusing legislat... Read More...

Trump Is About to Gain Full Control Over the US Copyright Office

Paul Resnikoff

March 27, 2017

It's the giant 'f*&k you' Trump's been dying to give Hollywood. Now, pending legislation would pass full authority over the US Copyright Office to Donald Trump. Think copyright law is seriously screwed ... Read More...

Ed Sheeran Desperately Trying to Repair Fan Relationships as Facebook Rips Down Cover Videos

Paul Resnikoff

March 13, 2017

Ed Sheeran fans are making Facebook cover videos. Warner Music Group, Ed Sheeran's label, is having them ripped down. Ed Sheeran is personally apologizing and getting them reinstated. Maybe there's a bette... Read More...

SRR Capital Launches With a VC-Style Approach to Music Investing

What Is Attribution?

So Busy With "The Quiet Time..."

Netflix Won the Streaming Wars. YouTube Changed the Rules.

Indonesia: One of the World’s Most Promising Digital Music Markets

What Politicians Could Learn from the Music Business: A Midterm Election Primer

Kroger Moves to Toss Sony Music-Led Infringement Lawsuit, Arguing Cox v. Sony Invalidates Everything

JYP Entertainment Sues Distributor OneSync Over the Alleged Infringement of Stray Kids Member Han’s ‘Back to Life’

The Music Industry Litigation Tracker — Cases Bubbling Right Now: Sony Music v. Kroger, SoundExchange v. Music Choice, Suno v. Apple (Round II), Penske Media v. Google, More

Billboard Owner Penske Media Officially Appeals AI-Focused Google Antitrust Lawsuit Dismissal

BTS Copyright Infringement Lawsuit Over ‘Swim’ Abruptly Dropped After a Few Months

Spotify Is Now Fighting 10 Different Copyright Lawsuits — at $1 Billion-Plus In Possible Damages

This Year, Not a Single Grammy Winner Thanked Radio. Here’s Why.

Exclusive: Ed Sheeran Faces Yet Another Multi-Million Dollar Copyright Lawsuit

Kendall and Kylie Jenner Face Major Legal Action from B.I.G., Doors, Tupac Estates

Tupac Film ‘All Eyez on Me’ Slapped With 2nd Lawsuit In 2 Days

Windows 10 ‘Kill Switch’ Can Identify and Block All Illegal Downloads

Guy Who Designed Dimebag Darrell’s Guitar Hasn’t Been Paid a Penny

Why Donald Trump Should Destroy the US Copyright Office

Here’s the 5 Page Bill That Puts the US Copyright Office In Trump’s Hands

Supreme Court Refuses to Hear ‘Oldies’ Copyright Case

Trump Is About to Gain Full Control Over the US Copyright Office

Ed Sheeran Desperately Trying to Repair Fan Relationships as Facebook Rips Down Cover Videos