News and Trends

The dismissal was without prejudice, leaving Dupri and his companies free to bring the claims again. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/jermaine-dupris-so-so-def-drops-18m-royalty-lawsuit-against-sony-music-after-parties-resolved-the-matter/

The publishing arms of all three major music companies are now litigating against the Claude maker Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/now-sony-music-publishing-and-warner-chappell-sue-anthropic-in-multi-billion-dollar-lawsuit-one-of-the-largest-and-most-blatant-ongoing-thefts-of-intellectual-property-in-history/

BMG saw its revenue grow by 4.9% YoY to EUR €444 million (USD $518M) in the first half of 2026. On an organic basis – which strips out the impact of acquisitions, disposals, and currency effects – BMG‘s revenue was up 8.1% YoY in the period. That’s according to new interim figures from BMG and … Continued Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/bmgs-organic-revenue-grew-8-1-yoy-in-h1-2026-concord-merger-now-due-to-close-in-q3/

Tonherd is described as a "full-service, end-to-end music company offering everything from songwriting and production to release." Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/warner-music-austria-and-ada-central-europe-strike-distribution-and-studio-deal-with-vienna-indie-label-tonherd/

Vincey Productions' catalog spans more than three decades of South Indian music, with a focus on Tamil and Telugu Christian and devotional recordings Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/reservoirs-popindia-acquires-vincey-productions-catalog-plus-youtube-channels-with-10m-combined-subscribers-and-signs-kashmiri-producer-30key/

However, the judge denied the labels’ separate bid to add 61,026 recordings to the 560 already in suit Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/umg-and-sony-accuse-suno-of-pirating-youtube-via-stream-ripping-to-train-its-ai/

XL released six new albums in 2025, with 82% of its turnover coming from outside the UK Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/beggars-group-revenue-hit-177m-in-2025-as-xl-recordings-paid-out-23m-dividend-to-shareholders/

Only one count fell: a claim under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act, which the plaintiffs told the court they had cited by mistake. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/judge-refuses-to-dismiss-indie-artists-proposed-class-action-against-suno-clearing-ai-output-and-stream-ripping-claims-for-discovery/

Her publicist, Marcel Pariseau, said Parton died at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville "after bravely facing a brief battle with cancer." Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/tributes-pour-in-for-dolly-parton-every-superlative-you-could-apply-to-her-would-be-accurate/

The latest 'Tim's Take' from Music Business Worldwide founder, Tim Ingham Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/the-amazon-pain-forest/

The three major music companies have all just banked equity in Stability AI – by joining a USD $76 million Series B investment into the gen-AI company. Universal Music Group, Sony Music Group, and Warner Music Group join a Series B investor coalition that also includes gaming giant Electronic Arts, plus investment firms AMD Ventures … Continued Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/universal-sony-warner-join-76m-funding-round-in-stability-ai/

Fans had to apply for the seats through a request window that closed on August 21 at 11:59pm ET, according to Ticketmaster. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/olivia-rodrigo-fights-the-scalpers-as-ticketmaster-cancels-batch-of-tickets-that-breached-sale-terms/

Financial terms were not disclosed in the filing, and the agreement between Sony and the retailer has yet to be executed. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/dsw-reaches-settlement-in-principle-with-sony-music-over-music-used-in-social-media-ads/

Landman is based at the company's Los Angeles headquarters and will continue to report to Ryan Press, President, North America, WCM. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/gabz-landman-promoted-to-executive-vice-president-ar-at-warner-chappell-music/

The biggest headlines from the past few days... Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/from-apple-musics-ai-labeling-plan-to-spotifys-1-5bn-buyback-boost-its-mbws-weekly-round-up/

The band's corporation, Hyde Lane, is asking the court for treble damages, restitution, Netflix's profits and attorneys' fees, and has demanded a jury trial. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/metal-band-demon-hunter-sues-netflix-and-aeg-over-kpop-demon-hunters/

Mercury’s Chairman and CEO picks the seven tracks that have soundtracked his existence on this planet so far… Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/key-songs-in-the-life-of-tyler-arnold/

The deal builds on the record company's existing stewardship of The Beatles' recorded catalog. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/umg-strikes-global-deal-for-the-beatles-merch-licensing-and-e-commerce/

Prompts can specify instrumentation, vocal style and the way a track's energy shifts across its running time, Alibaba said. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/alibaba-launches-ai-song-generator-happyshrimp-1-0-in-beta-with-chinas-taihe-music-signed-up-for-artist-co-creation/

Each complaint seeks statutory damages of up to USD $150,000 per work willfully infringed. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/round-hill-sues-suno-and-anthropic-for-up-to-1bn-apiece-it-isnt-looking-to-settle/

The deal closed following final approval of the transaction by the European Commission, the companies said on Tuesday (August 18). Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/done-deal-jamen-capital-and-merlin-complete-acquisition-of-curve-royalty-systems-from-virgin-music-group/

Bill Werde argues that while there is much to admire about The Libera Awards, there is also much, much more it could be doing with and for independent music... Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/lets-reinvent-the-libera-awards-as-a-platform-for-independent-music/

The biggest headlines from the past few days... Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/from-sunos-bmg-breakthrough-to-live-nations-counterfeit-crackdown-its-mbws-weekly-round-up/

Bill Ackman‘s Pershing Square has disclosed six new stock investments in its first quarterly shareholder letter as a publicly listed company. None of the six is a music company. The new positions in Visa, Mastercard, Netflix, S&P Global, Intercontinental Exchange, and Alcon were disclosed in a letter published on Wednesday (August 12). Pershing Square Inc. … Continued Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/bill-ackman-who-called-universal-music-one-of-the-best-businesses-we-have-ever-owned-steers-clear-of-music-in-pershing-square-stock-buying-splurge/

The other defendants are Parkwood Entertainment, Sony Music Entertainment, Sony Music Publishing, W Chappell Music Corp. and John Holiday. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/weeks-after-beyonces-alien-superstar-sample-suit-was-dismissed-a-second-one-is-filed-this-time-beyonce-is-a-defendant/

Syaheed joins from Believe to oversee Virgin’s operations across Africa, the Middle East and Asia Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/virgin-music-group-appoints-syaheed-msbi-as-vice-president-of-amea-region/

The deal gives Reach worldwide physical and digital distribution through Redeye Worldwide, the distributor Exceleration acquired in September 2023. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/exceleration-music-partners-with-reach-records-the-christian-hip-hop-label-suing-umgs/

BMG is the first significant rightsholder to ink a licensing deal with Suno since Warner Music Group announced an alliance with the AI company nine months ago. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/suno-inks-global-licensing-deal-with-bmg/

AEG Presents and Creativeman announced the deal on Tuesday (August 11), expanding AEG Presents' presence in Japan. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/aeg-presents-strikes-strategic-partnership-with-creativeman-productions-promoter-of-japans-summer-sonic-festival/

Suno stated in a blog post on Monday (August 10) that the download restrictions "will make it harder for bad actors to mass-export music" Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/suno-limits-subscribers-downloads-per-month/

Overall revenues were driven by an 11% YoY rise in the company's music-related services division Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/tencent-music-generated-1-32b-in-q2-up-5-8-yoy-driven-by-concert-growth-and-the-integration-of-ximalaya/

From February 1, 2027, new applicants to the YouTube Partner Program will need about 20 million qualified Shorts views over the previous 90 days. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/new-youtube-creators-will-need-8000-watch-hours-to-start-earning-from-ads-double-the-current-bar/

Glass will lead its Business & Legal Affairs function and take on responsibility for its Partnerships team. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/jon-glass-appointed-general-counsel-at-merlin/

Veeps is the ticketed livestream service in which Live Nation owns a majority stake. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/live-nation-backed-veeps-lays-off-nearly-all-editorial-staff-at-brooklynvegan-revolver-and-other-music-publications-report/

The agreement, struck with Czech investment group PPF, also covers the 5,000-capacity O2 Universum and the 4,000-capacity Forum Karlín. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/live-nation-acquires-majority-stake-in-three-prague-venues-as-it-expands-across-central-and-eastern-europe/

Giant Music is a key company within the Azoff empire. It’s an independent label determined to do things differently, and has recently expanded into the UK. Shawn Holiday and Nate Albert explain their vision to kickstart the record industry’s “next phase”... Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/its-clear-that-the-traditional-record-business-is-ending/

The biggest headlines from the past few days... Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/from-sunos-vinyl-move-to-spotifys-fan-made-merlin-deal-its-mbws-weekly-round-up/

K-pop company's latest quarterly report was published on Wednesday, August 5 Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/sm-entertainment-revenues-rose-15-4-yoy-to-233m-in-q2-driven-by-concerts-and-merch/

ASOBISYSTEM calls the launch its biggest spending yet in North America, and a permanent base for J-pop acts it has been sending on tour across the US. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/j-pop-powerhouse-asobisystem-opens-first-us-headquarters-in-california/

The collaboration makes ArtyShield's technology available inside the Client Offerings section of SymphonicMS, the distribution company's management platform. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/symphonic-partners-with-artyshield-to-give-artists-tools-that-protect-their-music-and-voices-from-unauthorized-ai-use/

The Sphere segment, which runs the Las Vegas venue, generated revenues of $226.4 million, up $50.8 million, or 29%, year-over-year. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/las-vegas-sphere-drove-sphere-entertainments-q2-revenues-up-11-to-314m-operating-loss-ballooned-22/

Per MBW's calculations, UMG artists could be in line for approximately $131 million of the money. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/universal-has-sold-a-chunk-of-spotify-stock-for-around-467m-artists-will-likely-be-paid-over-100m-of-it/

Spotify's total Monthly Active Users, which combine paying users and ad-supported users, reached 777 million Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/spotify-hits-300-million-premium-subscribers-in-q2-202/

The following MBW op/ed comes from Mag Rodriguez, Founder/CEO of EVEN. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/?p=264595

Spotify has signed a licensing agreement with Merlin, the digital licensing partner for independent labels and distributors, for its upcoming fan-made covers and remixing tool. The tool will let fans create covers and remixes of songs from participating Merlin members’ artists and songwriters. It will launch as a paid add-on for Spotify Premium users, and … Continued Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/merlin-signs-spotify-licensing-deal-for-ai-powered-fan-made-covers-and-remixes/

BMG has published Stockdale globally since 2016, and the acquisition adds his recorded music royalties and neighboring rights to that relationship. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/bmg-acquires-wolfmother-frontman-andrew-stockdales-publishing-and-recorded-rights/

The ruling means the claims naming Drake will not move forward while the plaintiffs pursue their dispute with Stake in individual arbitration. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/lawsuit-accusing-drake-of-stream-manipulation-via-stake-us-paused-as-judge-orders-arbitration/

The following MBW op/ed comes from Music Attorneys Heidy Vaquerano and Cynthia Katz at Fox Rothschild. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/ai-and-protecting-a-celebritys-voice-through-trademark/