A BLOG OF SORTS FROM CHRIS COOKE
Here is some stuff I did in February 2023…
CMU+TGE update
You know how you were asking me for more detail on what we’ll be talking about on stage at The Great Escape in May? I think that was you. It’s definitely the sort of thing you would ask about. Well, we’ve just published full topic outlines for all three of this year’s CMU+TGE conference strands. It’s all very exciting. More info here. Oh, and the Leonardo Royal Waterfront Hotel is the same venue as last year, it’s just got a fancy new name.
CMU digested
It’s the music business week digested – with Live Nation’s official support for new regulation of (mainly secondary) ticketing in the US, plus the Hybe/SM saga in South Korea, the European Commission banning its staff from using TikTok, Spotify’s AI DJ, and more. Read this week’s CMU Digest here.
AI voices
While music-making AI tools pose a bunch of interesting copyright questions, I’m particularly interested at the moment in the AI technologies that take a voice and then create speech or vocals in it – like the one Spotify just unveiled – because, can you legally protect your voice? There’s a super interesting case in the US at the moment filed by Rick Astley, which isn’t an AI case, but which nevertheless asks whether the sound of your voice is protected by publicity rights. If you’re an IMPALA member, we’ll be discussing all this at next week’s Quick Fire Webinar! And here’s my report on the Spotify AI DJ thing.
Setlist is back
The Setlist podcast is back after a short break. This week we discuss why they should definitely ban all alcohol sponsorship. Unless some alcohol brand is interested in sponsoring a regular music business podcast. In which case they should definitely NOT ban all alcohol sponsorship. For more balanced reporting like this, tune in to Setlist here.
CMU digested
It’s the music business week digested – with criticism of TikTok’s experiment restricting access to tracks in Australia, plus DF Concerts on the proposed alcohol sponsorship ban in Scotland, Viagogo in court in New Zealand, and more. Read this week’s CMU Digest here.
Conferences!
I’ve got a bunch of music conference stuff coming up in the next few months – talking about song royalties at SXSW, digital market trends at MENT, and how you know what information online to trust at Liverpool Sound City. Plus, of course, lots of TGE excitement in May, more on which very soon. But – in the meantime – here is a quick outline of what I’m doing at the other three events.
BRITs and lawns
I was planning on tuning into the BRIT Awards on Saturday night, but then somehow got distracted watching people mow lawns on YouTube. Which is possibly disrespectful to the artists who put a lot of effort into their BRITs 2023 performances, but – I mean – look at these verge transitions. Andy, however, did tune in and he wrote this little report for the CMU Daily.
CMU digested
It’s the music business week digested – with Hybe’s acquisitions, the UK government’s economics of streaming reports, the BBC’s update on the local Introducing shows, the proposed rise in US visa fees for artists, and ISM’s letter on tackling discrimination and harassment in the music sector. Read this week’s CMU Digest here.
I’m going to SXSW
Somehow I’ve never quite made it to South By South West before, so this year I’m fixing that. I’ll be talking about those famously leaky song royalty pipes. I’ll be there for most of the event, so if there are any panels or talks I should be watching, or bands I should be experiencing, or people I should be meeting, please do let me know! Meanwhile, here’s some info on the panel.
Economics of streaming
Another government commissioned report related to the economics of streaming debate? Already? Oh yes! This one is about those pesky streaming service algorithms. The main conclusion seems to be that the algorithms need to be on the agenda within the transparency conversation. The government’s (D)CMS department has also published a general update on the various economics of streaming projects that were launched following the big old Parliamentary inquiry. Here’s our CMU report on the update and the algorithms research.
Paris and data
This is what you see when the Eiffel Tower is behind you. Fun day in Paris talking and learning more about all those music rights data challenges. Also gave a brand new talk in which I admitted to a little bit of copyright infringement. Will do a follow up talk about the resulting litigation if and when it happens! Thanks to Verifi Media for inviting me to a great event.
New IPO report
If, like me, you’re a copyright geek – or you’re just interested in the ongoing economics of streaming conversation in the UK – the IPO has published some interesting research on reversion rights and contract adjustment rights in copyright law. The DCMS select committee’s big music streaming report proposed adding both those rights to the UK copyright system. Within the music community, I think it’s fair to say it’s a divisive topic. The report was commissioned to inform the ongoing debate rather than offer an opinion. There’s an update in today’s CMU Daily or you can access the full report on the IPO site here.
CMU digested
It’s the music business week digested – with Tidal and Universal teaming up to work on a new streaming model, TikTok experimenting with restrictions on its music library in Australia, Joe Biden taking aim at ticketing fees, and more. Read this week’s CMU Digest.
