Music Business
Avex 2025 Revenues Near $1 Billion on Strength in Live Entertainment
The Japanese publishing company reported $971 million in sales for its fiscal year 2025 as revenue from live events grew by 17%.
From Sony Music Publishing’s $4 billion catalog deal to Live Nation’s ‘blue dot fever’ rebuttal… it’s MBW’s weekly round-up
The biggest headlines from the past few days... Source
Music Producers Guild launches new guide on producer deals
The Music Producers Guild launched a new Producer Deals Guide during The Great Escape in Brighton earlier today. Produced with CMU and the MMF, it explains how the deals agreed between studio producers and artists and labels work, and how they have changed as artists release music in different ways
US Copyright Office Head Suggests Copyright Law May Need Revision
The boss of the US Copyright Office was asked about the Supreme Court ruling in the major labels v Cox case in US Congress yesterday. She said it had reduced the “incentives” for internet companies to
Kanye West Loses Sample Lawsuit, Claims Opponent Incurred Costs
Kanye West has lost his legal battle over an uncleared sample on a version of his ‘Donda’ track ‘Hurricane’ that was played at one of his 2021 listening parties. However, the rapper reckons the compan
Russ honored with NMPA Gold & Platinum Recognition celebrating 26 certified songs
The plaque was presented by NMPA President & CEO David Israelite alongside Omar Grant, Senior Director of Creative at Sony Music Publishing Source
US Copyright Office Suggests Copyright Law Amendments
The boss of the US Copyright Office was asked about the Supreme Court ruling in the major labels v Cox case in US Congress yesterday. She said it had reduced the “incentives” for internet companies to
Kanye West's Sample Lawsuit Outcome and Warning
Kanye West has lost his legal battle over an uncleared sample on a version of his ‘Donda’ track ‘Hurricane’ that was played at one of his 2021 listening parties. However, the rapper reckons the compan
Chrome Hearts fashion brand drop lawsuit against Neil Young
It related to the use of the brand's name in Young's current backing group The Chrome Hearts
Chrome Hearts fashion brand drop lawsuit against Neil Young
It related to the use of the brand's name in Young's current backing group The Chrome Hearts
UK government decision to delay live music touting law in favour of sports ticketing reforms dubbed “puzzling” and “bizarre” by music industry
The UK government has set out in the King's Speech the laws it plans to pass in the next year. As expected, laws to introduce the promised ticket touting ban will only be drafted this year, not passed
Member Feature: Unison
In this Member Feature, we speak with David Serras Pereira, Licensing and International Manager at Unison about how they've built an independent, multi-territorial publishing rights management platfor
Cutting Through the Noise – Owen Kiernan
The next instalment of our Members Voices series is live. Owen Kiernan, Head of Digital at Cr2 Records, on how artists and labels can cut through the noise of more than 120,000 tracks added to DSPs ev
AFEM Health Roundtable: Tinnitus and Hearing Health
On Tuesday 5 May, AFEM hosts a public roundtable on tinnitus and hearing health for the electronic music industry. Two guests bring direct, lived and professional experience to a candid, practical con
AFEM Industry Insider Podcast: From DJ Set to Live Show – Building a Scalable Live Performance
Developing a live electronic music show is one of the most complex steps an artist can take. The latest AFEM Industry Insider podcast brings together four practitioners working at the sharp end of liv
Feedback MTUK x AFEM: a music tech pitch competition for electronic labels and publishers
Feedback is Music Technology UK's recurring pitch competition for music tech founders. AFEM is teaming up with MTUK on this one to put electronic music labels and publishers at the centre of the room.
Beatport Connect: Music Conference Discount
Beatport Connect comes to New York on Friday 12 June, taking over Refuge in Brooklyn for a full day of panels, workshops and a networking mixer with the artists, labels and industry voices building ca
Brighton Music Conference 2026 announced
AFEM returns to Brighton Music Conference from 20 to 22 May 2026 with four panels, a welcome mixer, members dinner and the return of Meet the Experts. Ten industry leaders join Meet the Experts on Fri
Next-gen labels: new models, new ideas and, yes, some AI
One of the main strands at our Music Ally NEXT conference this June is ‘next-gen labels’. Here are some notable recent examples.
Viagogo wants UK government to rethink ticketing-reform plans
We reported yesterday on the disappointment within the UK’s music industry about the country’s planned crackdown on ticket touting being shunted into the long grass. Other opinions are available. Secondary-ticketing platform Viagogo is hoping that the delay will be an opportunity for the government