Music Industry
Taylor Swift BOTS Case, Tupac Shakur Lawsuit, Spotify ‘Payola’ Ruling & More Top Music Law News
In this week's Legal Beat newsletter, a ruling on the BOTS Act, a sweeping lawsuit over Tupac's death, a win for Spotify on 'payola' accusations and much more.
The US Copyright Office is hiking registration fees by 43%. Independent music orgs say many artists won’t be able to afford it.
With the fee hike, independent creators could lose access to the Copyright Claims Board, a more affordable way to pursue infringement cases, the coalition said. Source
Zakk Wylde Announces 2026 “Berzerkus” Concerts Featuring Lamb of God, Black Label Society, and Down
The special concerts will take place in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and Wantagh, New York. Zakk Wylde Announces 2026 “Berzerkus” Concerts Featuring Lamb of God, Black Label Society, and Down Spencer Kaufman
Sony Music expands JV with German rap label Two Sides, as founder Lucas Teuchner takes on broader advisory role for the major in the GSA region
The Berlin-based hip-hop label and management company is behind superstar rapper Apache 207 Source
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. Tuesday 19 May, 18:00 to 22:00 BST, at H.O.M.E in London. Four founders pitch live to a panel of se
Lizzo will not back down in backup dancers lawsuit: “The truth is less salacious than the headlines”
"I’m fighting the case because I know that it’s not true"
YouTube allows creators to replace music with copyright issues with genAI songs
US-based YouTube creators who are finding their videos struck down by pesky content ID claims due to the use of copyright-protected music can now generate replacement instrumental tracks in the back-end of the site, YouTube Studio. The “replace song” tool will now include a “create” button. Users fr
Spotify Discovery Mode “payola” lawsuit to move into arbitration
Back in November 2025, disgruntled Spotify user Genevieve Capolongo filed a lawsuit against the DSP, claiming that its Discovery Mode feature means that listeners are being misled because “Spotify’s playlists and recommendations are shaped by undisclosed pay-for-play arrangements and hidden commerci
Sony reportedly looking to buy Recognition Music Group’s publishing assets
Recognition Music Group, if you don’t – get it – recognise the name, was the result of the bundling-together of three companies connected to former catalogues-aquirer Hipgnosis: Hipgnosis Songs Fund, Hipgnosis Songs Assets and Hipgnosis Song Management. The new moniker was applied when the companies
Symphonic Next connects indie rightsholders to capital
Distributer Symphonic has announced the launch of Symphonic Next, which is “designed to connect clients with the capital, partnerships, and strategic pathways needed to grow and monetize their businesses.” The platform bridges Symphonic’s expanding role in catalogue monetisation and the accompanyin
“Snubbed” musicians seek $500k from Kanye West in ‘Hurricane’ copyright infringement trial
The case relates to an earlier version of the 'Donda' track that was performed live at a show in Atlanta in 2021
Noah Kahan’s Producer Gabe Simon Goes Behind the Scenes on ‘The Great Divide’: ‘I’d Never Heard Noah Do That Before’: Exclusive
The album, produced by Kahan, Simon and Aaron Dessner, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
Noah Kahan’s Producer Gabe Simon Goes Behind the Scenes on ‘The Great Divide’: ‘I’d Never Heard Noah Do That Before’
The album, produced by Kahan, Simon and Aaron Dessner, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
Live Nation says court ruling against ticket broker supports the company’s bid to dismiss FTC’s BOTS Act lawsuit
Live Nation argued that the Key Investment Group lawsuit is not comparable to its case as they were brought under different subparagraphs of the BOTS Act. Source
Suno reportedly looking to raise $1/4 billion+ in latest funding round
Only six months ago, GenAI music platform Suno announced a $250m Series-C funding round. That valued the company at $2.45bn and took its total funding (post seed and Series A rounds) to $375M. Now, Billboard reports, Suno is looking for another round of funding – that’s Series-D for those of you kee
Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively reach settlement in ‘It Ends With Us’ lawsuit
It brings to an end a dispute that dates back to December 2024
Suno is raising another $250 million+ at a $5 billion valuation (reports)
Suno will likely raise above $250 million, the same amount that it pulled in during its Series C just six months ago, sources told Billboard. Source
The Pussycat Dolls cancel North American reunion tour over reports of slow ticket sales
The group said they made the decision "after taking an honest look at the North American run"
The Rolling Stones ‘Paint It, Black’ Owner Settles With Paint Company Over Instagram Ad
ABKCO Music & Records claimed Behr Paint didn't pay to use the 1966 chart-topper in a commercial social media post.
Taylor Swift’s Texts Won’t Get Aired in Court as Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Settle Legal Battle
The messy lawsuit has finally ended, canceling a trial that was set to begin this month and include evidence about the pop superstar.