Music Business Worldwide News, jobs and analysis for the global music industry
- Now Sony Music Publishing and Warner Chappell sue Anthropic in multi-billion dollar lawsuit: ‘One of the largest and most blatant ongoing thefts of intellectual property in history.’on 29/08/2026 at 10:51
The publishing arms of all three major music companies are now litigating against the Claude maker Source
- Spotify promotes Joe Hadley to VP of Global Music Content, Partnerships; J.J. Italiano named Head of Editorialon 28/08/2026 at 17:15
Spotify says the new structure will preserve Editorial's "distinct voice, expertise, and decision-making," while creating "a more connected Music team." Source
- From the major labels’ $76M Stability AI bet to Universal and Sony’s Suno ‘stream ripping’ claim… it’s MBW’s Weekly Round-Upon 28/08/2026 at 15:41
The biggest headlines from the past few days...Source
- BMG’s organic revenue grew 8.1% YoY in H1 2026; Concord merger now due to close in Q3on 28/08/2026 at 11:59
BMG saw its revenue grow by 4.9% YoY to EUR €444 million (USD $518M) in the first half of 2026. On an organic basis – which strips out the impact of acquisitions, disposals, and currency effects – BMG‘s revenue was up 8.1% YoY in the period. That’s according to new interim figures from BMG and … Continued Source
- Warner Music Austria and ADA Central Europe strike distribution and studio deal with Vienna indie label Tonherdon 28/08/2026 at 11:54
Tonherd is described as a "full-service, end-to-end music company offering everything from songwriting and production to release." Source
- Reservoir’s PopIndia acquires Vincey Productions catalog plus YouTube channels with 10M combined subscribers, and signs Kashmiri producer 30KEY!on 28/08/2026 at 08:45
Vincey Productions' catalog spans more than three decades of South Indian music, with a focus on Tamil and Telugu Christian and devotional recordings Source
- Judge clears UMG and Sony to accuse Suno of pirating YouTube via ‘stream ripping’ to train its AIon 27/08/2026 at 22:14
However, the judge denied the labels’ separate bid to add 61,026 recordings to the 560 already in suit Source
- Authentic Brands Group acquires majority stake in IP of Drake’s OVO brandon 27/08/2026 at 21:01
As part of the transaction, Authentic network partner Vince Holding Corp. (Nasdaq: VNCE) has acquired OVO's operating business and will oversee the brand's design, product development, merchandising, and retail stores. Source
- Sony Music Publishing wins Publisher of the Year at 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awardson 27/08/2026 at 20:58
The Sony-owned publisher landed the prize for representing 27 of the past awards year's most-performed R&B and hip-hop songs in BMI's repertoire Source
- Warner Music/Blavatnik Social Justice Fund names 17 grantees in first 2026 docket, investing almost $6Mon 27/08/2026 at 20:30
Eight music-focused organizations are among the fund’s 17 grantees, including four newcomers. Source