Free Republic

My first experience with music streaming led me to accidentally and irreversibly delete my digital library. A search of internet forums returned plenty of results from people in a similar position, and I could relate to the note of hysteria in their posts.

A lawsuit filed in federal court against the music streaming service Spotify is seeking at least $150 million in royalties for musicians and copyright owners. The suit, filed Monday by guitarist and vocalist David Lowery of alternative rock band Cracker, alleges Spotify "knowingly, willingly, and unlawfully reproduces and distributes copyrighted" music without a license to do so, Lowery's law firm Michelman & Robinson said. Violating federal copyright law could mean fines of between $750 and $150,000 for each infringement. That could mean big payouts if the court sides with Lowery, who filed the case on behalf of himself and "all...

The European Commission asks Apple and labels to explain their pacts for the relaunch of Beats Music to see if they're trying to crimp free offerings from streaming rivals like Spotify, a report says. Apple's bid to relaunch its Beats streaming music service is already facing scrutiny. The European Commission has sent questionnaires to several labels and digital music companies about Apple's plans for Beats Music, according to a report in the Financial Times (subscription required). The questionnaires are a first step and don't automatically presage a formal investigation, said the FT, adding that such information gathering is often sparked...

In what Bloomberg calls a “digital push,” Disney announced that it is closing 23 of its 24 terrestrial stations, laying off nearly 200 people in sales and operations. (See the intra-company memo from GM Phil Guerini below.) Disney is shifting its efforts and resources from terrestrial to the broadly-termed “digital” realm, which in this case means program distribution on SiriusXM and online streaming platforms. The company maintains a Radio Disney mobile app. The strategy shift represents what Disney calls “the habits of the consumers we serve.” Inside Radio reports that only 18% of Disney’s radio audience tune in via AM.FM...

...The plaintiffs include Vivendi SA's Capitol Records Inc and UMG Recordings Inc, Sony Corp's Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group Corp and ABKCO Music & Records Inc... ...Federal copyright law does not apply to pre-1972 recordings, but the plaintiffs say New York state law provides copyright protection for such recordings... ..."If we are required to obtain licenses for pre-1972 sound recordings to avoid liability and are unable to secure such licenses, then we may have to remove pre-1972 sound recordings from our service, which could harm our ability to attract and retain users," the company said in a regulatory filing...