ASCAP has filed a total of 21 copyright infringement lawsuits against bars, nightclubs, and restaurants in 13 different states. In each case, the establishment either never obtained a license for the music or failed to comply with the royalty agreements stipulated in the licensing contract.

There’s no more slipping through the cracks when it comes to peer-to-peer download sites. LimeWire, one of the last of the 1990s media giants still standing, was hit with a lawsuit citing copyright infringement “on a massive scale.”

President Obama’s administration has finally come out with a statement regarding recent trends in the theft of intellectual property, which includes music piracy. Property Enforcement Coordinator Victoria Espinel recently announced a series of 33 strategies geared toward enforcing current laws.

Austin, TX – July 23, 2010 – Ron Perovich recently signed an exclusive deal with independent music company Hip Muzik,  allowing his works to be showcased in upcoming video and DVD productions. While some details of the musical collaboration are confidential, Hip Muzik A&R Manger Maria Natera has confirmed that both original compositions and remastered music by Perovich will be used in an upcoming series produced by Why Knot Productions.

It’s common knowledge that not everyone in the music biz is impeccably honest, but this news blurb from across the ocean really takes the cake! German performance rights organization GEMA is in hot water due to a phony concert series that brought in over $1 million for at least two of its employees.

The Phonographic Performance Company of Australia (PPCA) spoke, and the Australian Copyright Tribunal listened. A case was brought to the Tribunal suggesting that the fee for using music during fitness classes should be increased, due to the fact that music plays such an integral role. The answer to PPCA? A resounding “yes!”

In the past two years, Danes have downloaded over 200 tracks via TDC Play, which has become a leading source of income for record labels in an increasingly digital area. Danish record industry organization IFPI Denmark recently came to the defense of TDC when performing rights organization KODA requested higher tariffs for artists.

In a declaration mimicking that of President Obama recently, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi released a series of powerful statements regarding artists’ rights to radio royalties. At last week’s “GRAMMY on the Hill” event, put on by the Recording Academy, Pelosi spoke out as an ally to struggling musicians.

Matthew Chow, creator of the largest illegal file-sharing database on the net, Rabid Neurosis, was found not guilty by a Houston jury last Friday. Chow had been charged with conspiracy to commit criminal copyright infringement and could have faced a five-year prison sentence and $250,000 fine.

BBC Breaks the News to Disgruntled UK Listeners

6 Music is getting the boot, and UK listeners aren't too happy about it.  Some are questioning if it's a good decision, or if there are other motives involoved.

Every year, the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC) releases a breakdown of royalty figures gathered from a total of 118 countries around the globe.

A licensing dispute between background music provider DMX and record label BMI is now in the hands of federal judge Louis L. Stanton. The case, brought on by DMX, seeks to make it possible for composers to license their works directly through a credit system, rather than going through a major performing rights organization.

On Tuesday, the internet world was abuzz with rumors that Google had censored several music bloggers. Shortly thereafter, an article was published confirming that Google had shut down the following music blogs: Living Ears, I Rock Cleveland, Pop Tarts, Masala, To Die By Your Side, and It's a Rap.

Composers and artists who license their work through BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.) were recently provided with an annual review of the company’s work in 2009.

It’s been a long time coming, but we’re finally here. The advent of 2010 has ushered in a new era for the music industry revolving around digital media. 

The earthquake in Haiti shook nations around the globe as people struggle to form a safety net for families affected by the tragedy. The music industry in particular has come alive with compassion, inspiring musicians to collaborate on projects that will help those devastated by the earthquake.

It was recently announced that nonprofit performing rights organization SoundExchange has partnered with MySpace to award royalties to unidentified artists.

SESAC (originally named The Society of European Stage Authors and Composers, but is now only involved in U.S. affairs) is one of three large performing rights organizations in America. Along with the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) and Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), SESAC works to ensure that composers and performers are justly compensated for their work.
 

Two major players have recently joined forces in order to gracefully enter the digital age. The Harry Fox Agency (HFA), a U.S. music rights organization, has now officially secured a licensing deal with Gracenote.

Jonathan Potter, executive director of the Digital Media Association (DiMA), recently announced his plans to resign from the organization as of December 31, 2009. Potter initially founded DiMA over 10 years ago in an effort to protect the rights of consumers in a new era of digital downloads.
 

If you’ve never heard of the ASCAPlus cash awards given out by the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers, now is the time to get in the know!

A recent lawsuit filed by The American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) against cell phone services Verizon and AT&T was shot down by the federal courts.

Why Knot Productions, a USA based video production company, recently designed a new site to begin a world-wide search for top belly dance instructors for a new video series.

Hossam Ramzy, known throught the music industry for his talent and passion, will be featured on Shakira's upcoming album.

British pop star Lily Allen takes a stand... but why?

Mitch Bainwol of the Recording Industry Association of America explains why, in the midst of hard times, to be more positive.

Hip Muzik contracted by Why Knot Productions to provide music and musicians for upcoming video series!  On June 17, 2009, Why Knot Productions and Hip Muzik finalized an agreement assigning all music-related work to Hip Muzik, LLC.  Read more about the announcment here.

You know those little sound bites on iTunes that allow you to sample a song before purchasing it? The ones that help you verify whether you are, in fact, downloading the song you're looking for?  Who should pay, and who should be paid...?

Recent debates in the global music scene prompt the formation of UK Music... will it help?

SESAC teams up with Barcelona Music and Audio Technology for new tracking system.

This debate gets stronger regarding digital downloads, royalties and the music industry's heavy-weights, including the DiMA, MPAA and ASCAP. 

In the past two years, Danes have downloaded over 200 tracks via TDC Play, which has become a leading source of income for record labels in an increasingly digital area. Danish record industry organization IFPI Denmark recently came to the defense of TDC when performing rights organization KODA requested higher tariffs for artists.