Copyright
Roblox and NMPA Reach Agreement on Music Usage, Settle $200 Million Copyright Lawsuit
Roblox and the National Music Publishers Association (NMPA) have reached an agreement that will dismiss the latter’s $200 million lawsuit against the popular online game platform. The news comes less than a week after NMPA’s landmark deal with Twitch. Back in June, the NMPA sued Roblox after it found copyrighted music that it being used in the platform’s games without the proper licenses. The artists included deadmau5, Ariana Grande, Ed Sheeran, and the Rolling Stones, among many others. With this current agreement in place, Roblox has the time and flexibility to negotiate with the NMPA’s clients individually and strike deals that are best suited for their artists. “We are pleased that the publishing industry sees the potential of Roblox to be a signific...
Streamers Still Upset With Twitch After Landmark NMPA Deal
A new deal has been struck in the ongoing battle between Twitch and the National Music Publishers Association (NMPA)—but streamers still aren’t happy. Over a year after the initial debate began, Twitch finally came to an agreement with the NMPA. But even after the deal, streamers will not be allowed to play licensed music while streaming. Thousands of DMCA copyright strikes have been issued to streamers in the last year, resulting in the removal of any videos containing copyrighted songs. Despite a long-awaited agreement between Twitch and the National Music Publishers Association (NMPA), streamers are still vexed. Caspar Camille Rubin “As part of this agreement, we want to let you know about a new process that we are creating that participating music rights holders can op...
Congress Takes Aim at Twitter’s Inability to Address Copyright Infringement In Letter to CEO
In a letter to Jack Dorsey, members of Congress are demanding Twitter address the pervasive problem of copyright infringement on its platform. The bipartisan letter, signed by 22 members of Congress, cites an astounding figure as the basis for the correspondence. According to Twitter itself over 1.6 million copyright infringement notices were reportedly received in the first half of last year alone. According to the letter, this is mainly due to the company’s lack of licensing, an issue that has been raised more frequently as of late with regard to large tech companies. One such company to get caught in the crosshairs recently has been Twitch, which has been the subject of numerous waves of DMCA takedowns due to insufficient licensing infrastructure. As a result, lawmaker...
How to Use and Monetise Data
Data and data analytics? Big business. We generate a massive amount of information every day, sourced via the Internet of (Every)Thing(s), GPS trackers, fitness wearables, software-as-a-service, web content and social media. This information can be analysed computationally to reveal patterns, trends and associations; yielding outputs with a multitude of uses. For example, we can use it to predict trends and patterns, find the most lucrative opportunities, and manage our time and resources more effectively. But how does intellectual property (IP) law protect data, enabling it to be monetised? And what should businesses be aware of, as they grow increasingly dependent on data? Copyright and common law /* custom css */ .tdi_3_628.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_628.td-a-rec-img img{ m...
House rejects bill seeking to reduce cases in Supreme Court
The House of Representatives yesterday voted out a bill seeking to limit the category of litigations that can be appealed at the Supreme Court. The intention of the bill was to reduce the workload on the apex court, and speed up justice delivery. The lawmakers at the plenary yesterday considered for second reading, ‘A Bill for An Act to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999; the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (First Alteration) Act, 2010; and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Second Alteration) Act, 2010, to make appeals to the Supreme Court to be by leave in order to reduce workload on the court, expedite hearing and determination of appeals, and encourage efficiency and quality; and for related matters.’ Chai...
Judge Rejects ARTY’s Copyright Lawsuit Against Marshmello Over “Happier”
After two years, a judge has finally put an end to the lengthy legal battle between dance music producers ARTY and Marshmello. The copyright suit was filed in May 2019 after ARTY claimed that Mello had stolen the melody of his 2014 remix of OneRepublic‘s “I Lived,” subsequently recycling it for the 2018 hit single “Happier” with Bastille. Dan Smith, the British band’s frontman, was also named in the copyright suit along with producer Steve Mac. The decision came down on Thursday in favor of Marshmello, Smith and Mac, with California US District Judge Philip S. Gutierrez ruling that ARTY had no grounds to sue under the terms of his “I Lived” contract with OneRepublic. “I acknowledge and agree that ...
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry to quit social media
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has vowed to remove himself from all social media from tomorrow until platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram take more serious action against racism and other abuses. Henry suggested that, as things stand, the companies are quicker to take action against copyright infringements than they are to the toxic behaviour poisoning the platforms. In a statement posted online, Henry said: “From tomorrow morning I will be removing myself from social media until the people in power are able to regulate their platforms with the same vigour and ferocity that they currently do when you infringe copyright. “The sheer volume of racism, bullying and resulting mental torture to individuals is too toxic to ignore. “There HAS to be some accountability. It is far too eas...
Instagram Will Impose “90-Second Rule” for Copyrighted Tracks on Livestream DJ Sets
While we are all out here trying to regain a sense of normality, not much is more painstakingly traditional than the stress of your recording getting taken down due to copyright. Though this is nothing new, the sting hurts just the same. As our champions of easing the quarantine blues, DJs have been faced with navigating the field maze of livestream guidelines during this time of social distancing. Now, Instagram, the social media giant that lives under the Facebook umbrella, is imposing a new initiative they dub the “90-second rule” in order to prevent copyright issues on tracks being used during these livestreams. Instagram has implemented a new pop-up to warn users who are featuring more than 90 seconds of a copyrighted track to stop or risk having thei...
