Copyright & Media Update 2/16/18

February 16, 2018

Amazon’s Jeff Bezos Can’t Beat Washington, So He’s Joining It: The Influence Game

BY SPENCER SOPER, NAOMI NIX, BEN BRODY AND BILL ALLISON: In the final days of 2017, President Donald Trump attacked Amazon, tweeting that the U.S. Postal Service should charge the world’s largest online retailer “MUCH MORE!” for delivering packages. READ MORE…

Spotify’s Gonna Hit 100 Million Subscribers a Lot Sooner Than You Think

BY DANIEL SANCHEZ: Ahead of its rumored direct listing on the NYSE next month, Spotify has found a cunning way to inflate its US subscriber count. After filing confidential IPO papers with the SEC in January, all seemed to be going well for Spotify  What could possibly go wrong? Just about everything, it seems. READ MORE…

Judge Dismisses ‘Player Hater’ Copyright Suit Against Taylor Swift

BY GENE MADDAUS: A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit Tuesday that accused Taylor Swift of copyright infringement on her hit song “Shake It Off.” Songwriters Sean Hall and Nathan Butler brought the suit last fall, arguing that the chorus of the song borrowed from their 2001 composition, “Playas Gon’ Play.” READ MORE…

Songwriters Gain Influence in How the Music Modernization Act Would Work

BY ED CHRISTMAN: After further negotiations between songwriter groups and music publishers, songwriters may have a bigger role in participating in how an agency created to expedite a proposed blanket mechanical license will conduct business. That is, if the Music Modernization Act is passed. READ MORE…

Why Music Modernization Act Is Best Path Forward [Op-Ed]

BY ALEX HEICHE: While the Music Modernization Act to revamp music copyright has its critics, most in the industry support it. Here, Sound Royalties’ Alex Heiche explores the objections in detail, and finds most insufficient to dampen enthusiasm for the bipartisan legislation. READ MORE…

Amazon’s Alexa Can Now Create Amazon Music Playlists

BY LENNON CIHAK: Amazon’s Alexa is getting more intuitive, especially when it comes to music. Virtual assistance devices are increasing in use.  And they’re getting smarter by the minute.   Now, Amazon’s Alexa can create playlists on Amazon Music — just ask Alexa to add music to a previously created or new playlist. READ MORE…

About Christian Copyright Solutions: CCS’s quest is to help churches and Christian ministries “do music right.” CCS is an expert on church music copyrights and our primary focus is providing licensing and clear educational resources to churches, as well as representation, administration, and advocacy for copyright owners. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube. The information contained herein is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice or a substitute for legal counsel.

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