3 Count: Global Music Litigation

The tiny PRO speaks loudly in court...

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1: Global Music Rights Sues Entravision for Copyright Infringement

First off today, Jem Aswad at Variety reports that Global Music Rights has filed a lawsuit with Entravision claiming that the media company has broadcasted some 130 songs nearly 15,000 times without a license or payment to songwriters.

Global Music Rights (GMR) is a performing rights agency (PRO) that represents songwriters and composers and gets them royalties when their songs are publicly performed. Entravision is a media company that focuses primarily on Spanish-language TV and radio stations in the United States. According to GMR, despite not having paid royalties or having obtained a license from them, Entravision has been playing over a hundred songs that they represent.

The lawsuit is notable because it’s the first time that GMR has filed a lawsuit since it was founded in 2013. The PRO is much smaller than its competitors ASCAP and BMI and represents only a tiny group of artists, most of the large-name composers. Entravision did not respond to media inquiries and GMR has said, “Litigation is not our first choice, but Entravision’s flagrant conduct left us no other option.”

2: Lil Nas X, Cardi B, More Hit With Copyright Infringement Lawsuit for “Rodeo”

Next up today, Madison Bloom at Pitchfork reports that Lil Nas X, Cardi B and others involved in the song Rodeo have become the subject of a copyright infringement lawsuit filed by two Atlanta producers.

The producers, Don Lee and Glen Keith DeMeritt III, claim that they created a recording named “gwenXdonlee4-142” that was incorporated into the song Broad Day by PuertoReefa and Sakrite Duexe. The lawsuit then claims that Rodeo is substantially similar to their work and that it was done without obtaining a license or making any payment.

Specifically, the lawsuit alleges that the two songs have the same four-measure phrase and chord progression as well as use similar instruments, drumbeats and other elements. None of the litigants in the case had any comment on the lawsuit.

3: Japan’s Four Top Publishers Share New Stand Against Manga Piracy

Finally today, Megan Peters at Comicbook.com reports that, in Japan, the big four manga publishers have released a joint announcement stating that they are working together alongside the Mangaka Association to fight piracy.

The announcement is the first of its kind in Japan but not the first time the publishers have worked together. They previously filed a joint lawsuit against several pirate manga websites and have already coordinated some efforts.

Still, the announcement is a surprise as the publishers are often fierce competitors that rarely collaborate. The move is expected to be a prelude to further joint legal action from the publishers and, likely, a new way of anti-piracy enforcement by them.

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