Copyright & Media Update 8/10/17

August 11, 2017

YouTube Music Gains Ability to Download Songs, Albums, and Playlists

BY CHRISTIAN de LOOPER: You’ve likely experienced spotty data in the past, but now YouTube Music users don’t necessarily have to worry too much about that. While Google has said that YouTube Music and Google Play Music will soon merge, that doesn’t mean Google isn’t working on improving YouTube Music in the meantime. In fact, the company just launched a major upgrade to YouTube Music, now allowing users to download songs, albums, and playlists for offline listening. READ MORE…

Google and Facebook Are the New Media Barons

BY SHIRA OVIDE: A handful of big technology companies are becoming the next William Randolph Hearst and Walt Disney: They wield enormous power over what news and entertainment get made. In case you needed more evidence of the power of big tech in people’s lives, Google is giving you more. READ MORE…

Effort to Free Civil Rights Anthem May Hinge on Difference Between “Will” and “Shall”

BY ERIQ GARDNER: How exactly did an African-American spiritual from the 19th century become “We Shall Overcome,” an iconic anthem during the civil rights era? And does this song belong in the public domain or must those who wish to use it in movies and television shows get permission and pay license fees? A federal judge is set to provide some answers in a legal battle that’s got something for historians, grammar nerds, activists and, of course, copyright nuts. READ MORE…

How to Create a Repeat Infringer Policy

BY JONATHAN BAILEY: If you’ve read this site long enough, you’re probably familiar with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and how the notice and takedown system works. If you’re a copyright holder filing a complaint, it’s fairly straightforward. File a proper notice and a host (or search engine) and, if they wish to avoid potential liability, they will remove or disable access to the work pending a possible counter-notice. READ MORE…

ASMP and Other Visual Artist Groups Intensify Lobbying Efforts as House Judiciary Committee Focuses on Small Claims Copyright Legislation

BY THOMAS KENNEDY: The House Judiciary Committee is making progress on its plans to pursue a multi-part copyright reform proposal that includes a provision to enact a permanent small claims copyright court.  As previously reported, the small claims component is designed to provide photographers and other individual creators plagued by copyright infringements with a viable, cost effective alternative to the burdensome and prohibitively expensive federal court litigation route. 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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