3 Count: Database Audit

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1: Oracle Sues NEC Over Alleged Software Contract, Copyright Violations

First off today, Blake Brittain at Reuters reports that Oracle American has filed a lawsuit against NEC Corp alleging that NEC is using Oracle software, namely its biometric identification system, in a way that exceeds the terms of their license.

The lawsuit is the direct result of an audit performed by Oracle of NEC ins 2019. According to Oracle, that audit found that they were not paying the correct license fees and committed other violations of the license, including modifying the software without permission and allowing third parties access to it.

Oracle goes on to say that, despite multiple attempts to rectify these issues and bring NEC back into compliance, they have refused to address the issue, prompting the lawsuit. Oracle says it has suffered over $7 million in damages due to the violations. Neither side had any comment on the story.

2: Dua Lipa Sued for Putting Paparazzi Photo of Herself on Instagram

Next up today, Mark Savage at the ABBC reports that musician Dua Lipa is being sued by the image licensing company Integral Images over her use of a paparazzi photo of her on her Instagram page.

The photo was taken of Lipa when she was in an airport in February 2019. According to the lawsuit, she took the image and put it on her Instagram, which the lawsuit claims is both promotion for her musical career and monetized.

As such, the lawsuit is seeking up to $150,000 in damage, the maximum allowed under the law, and a jury trial. Lipa for her part, is just the latest of celebrities facing similar lawsuits with Gigi Hadid, Liam Hemsworth and Khloé Kardashian all facing similar lawsuits.

3: The U.S. Copyright Issues A Report On Best Practices For The MLC In Distributing Unclaimed Royalties

Finally today, CelebrityAccess writes that the U.S. Copyright Office, as part of a consultation with the Government Accountability Office, has released a study that looks at best practices for the Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC) to identify and rightsholders and distribute unclaimed royalties.

The MLC was created as part of the Music Modernization Act (MMA) and is responsible for collecting mechanical royalties where the rightsholder can not be identified and then attempt to distribute them. This represents approximately 20% of all mechanical rights royalties paid, or around $11 million in 2018.

However, the report notes that it may take years for distribution to take place. The royalties will continue to accrue interest until their distribution, something also required under the MMA.

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