Man behind $8M AI song and bot streaming fraud is sentenced to 18 months in prison
US District Judge John G. Koeltl also ordered Michael Smith to forfeit USD $8,091,843.64, the loss figure agreed by both sides. Source
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Google picks Base for Music for its Gemini Startup Forum – as $1.7M-backed French company says it uses AI to predict music marketing ROI
More than 100 startups taking part, from 17 countries, were selected from over 2,000 applications, according to Google Source
GoDigital Music expands in Asia with Pony Canyon Partnership and appointment of Sebastian Mair as President, APAC
Mair's background includes roles at Creativeman Productions, Fujipacific Music, Live Nation Japan, AEG Presents, and Ubisoft. Source
Thomas Rhett launches Fifty-One/Forty-Nine Records with HYBE America’s Blue Highway, in deal he says gives him ‘the opportunity to own’ his body of work
Blue Highway describes Fifty-One/Forty-Nine as an artist-led record company "built around long-term ownership, creative independence and artist development." Source
Adriana Sein joins Believe as President, Americas
Exec most recently served as SVP & Global Head of Artist & Market Development at WMG's ADA Source
The MLC has paid out more than $4.2bn to songwriters and publishers to date – and will begin market share distributions of unmatched and unclaimed royalties in April 2027
The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC) has distributed more than USD $4.2 billion in total royalties to songwriters and publishers since launching operations in January 2021. The Nashville-headquartered organization confirmed the figure at its Annual Membership Meeting last Tuesday…
Suno faces investigation in Italy over terms of service
The watchdog's concerns include price changes, account terminations, US-based arbitration, and a content license that it says requires users to waive their moral rights Source
Warner’s ADA Central Europe inks exclusive worldwide digital distribution deal with Swiss label Sound Distribution
Sound Distribution's in-house studio produces music videos, visualizers, editorial monologues, cover shoots, and live DJ set integrations. Source
Sony Music Publishing to administer El Reino Infantil’s music catalog worldwide in Leader Entertainment partnership
The partnership aims to expand the reach of El Reino Infantil across new audiences, formats, and markets, the companies said. Source
New York City’s ‘Click to Cancel’ rule, billed as a first for a US city, has taken effect with music streaming subscriptions covered
Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music are all covered by New York City's new "Click to Cancel" rule, which took effect on October 1. Source
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