Author: thetrichordist

@RobertBLevine_: Federal ‘Transparency’ Bill Endangers Songwriters’ Leverage for Getting Paid — Artist Rights Watch

On the surface, at least, the “Transparency in Music Licensing Ownership Act,” introduced in the House of Representatives on July 20 by Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI), seems like a copyright bill that could help untangle the online music business….but the devil is in the details.

via @RobertBLevine_: Federal ‘Transparency’ Bill Endangers Songwriters’ Leverage for Getting Paid — Artist Rights Watch

by thetrichordist

@kayleighqueue: This Austin Nonprofit Is Changing the Way Local Musicians Get Paid — Artist Rights Watch

Austin’s Black Fret, a 501 (c) (3) public charity increasingly has made waves in the Austin music community for how it supports local talent. In just a few short years, Black Fret has given more than $280,000 directly to Austin artists, including rising stars Shakey Graves, Dana Falconberry, and Wild Child. Later this week, at their annual Black Ball, the organization will announce $200,000+ in grants—upwards of $5,000 for minor grants, $10,000 for major ones—that Black Fret will award to more than a dozen local musicians throughout 2017.

via @kayleighqueue: This Austin Nonprofit Is Changing the Way Local Musicians Get Paid — Artist Rights Watch

by thetrichordist

Must See: Google Transparency Project Posts the Google Freedom of Information Act Searchable Archive

The Google Transparency Project is the only collection of public unclassified information about the depth of Google’s government capture. Managed by the Campaign for Accountability, the GTP has provided the public, and particularly artists, with a breathtaking level of detail about just how much access to the levers of government power–and we assume control–that Google has enjoyed, particularly during the administration of President Obama. Now and for the first time there is an online searchable database of thousands of documents from dozens of government agencies involving Google

via Must See: Google Transparency Project Posts the Google Freedom of Information Act Searchable Archive — MUSIC • TECHNOLOGY • POLICY

by thetrichordist

Congress Brings Sanity to the Appointment of the Head of US Copyright Office — Music Tech Solutions

By Chris Castle

The House Judiciary Committee has just issued a carefully worded policy paper regarding the appointment of the next Register–notwithstanding the rather mean spirited “and your little dog, too” justifications given by some in the anti-copyright crowd who are promoting the Library’s recent deal with the Berkman Center’s Digital Public Library of America to turn a digitized Library of Congress into a kind of feeder to Kickass Torrents with sovereign immunity.

via Congress Brings Sanity to the Appointment of the Head of US Copyright Office — Music Tech Solutions

by thetrichordist

Flo & Eddie Class Settlement with Sirius on Pre-72 Sound Recordings — Artist Rights Watch

Big congratulations to Flo & Eddie (aka The Turtles) and class counsel Henry Gradstein for a great settlement in their indie label class action against SiriusXM for pre-72 sound recordings. The settlement is a guaranteed $25 million payment against a 5.5% license for 10 years which is worth between $45.47 million to $59.2 million assuming Sirius continues to play the remaining class member’s recordings at the same play rate as the past.

via Flo & Eddie Class Settlement with Sirius on Pre-72 Sound Recordings — Artist Rights Watch

by thetrichordist

@musicbizworld: @SOUNDEXCHANGE PAID OUT $264M IN Q3 – ITS BIGGEST QUARTER IN TWO YEARS — Artist Rights Watch

[Editor Charlie sez: big 45.2% increase in the number of people getting royalty payments from SoundExchange!] SoundExchange just paid out more than quarter of a billion dollars to recorded music rights holders – its biggest three-month distribution in two years. According to the US company’s latest data, it delivered $263.5m to labels and artists in […]

via @musicbizworld: @SOUNDEXCHANGE PAID OUT $264M IN Q3 – ITS BIGGEST QUARTER IN TWO YEARS — Artist Rights Watch

by thetrichordist

@edchristman: Commercial Radio Group Files Antitrust Lawsuit Against Irving Azoff’s Global Music Rights — Artist Rights Watch

With ASCAP and BMI still under unaltered consent decrees and SESAC agreeing to rate-setting arbitration in a 2015 settlement, the Radio Music Licensing Committee (RMLC) is going for the grand slam with an antitrust lawsuit against boutique performance rights organization Global Music Rights.

via @edchristman: Commercial Radio Group Files Antitrust Lawsuit Against Irving Azoff’s Global Music Rights — Artist Rights Watch

by thetrichordist