3 Count: VPN Trust

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1: Ozzy Osbourne Hit With Copyright Lawsuit Over Social Media Photos — Of Himself

First off today, Bill Donahue at Billboard reports that photographer Neil Zlozower has filed a lawsuit against Ozzy Osbourne over allegations of copyright infringement.

According to the lawsuit, Zlozower took multiple images of Osbourne that he (or his team) posted on various social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). Zlozower claims Osbourne never sought a license to use the images.

Osbourne is the latest celebrity to face such lawsuits. Miley Cyrus, Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber and Katy Perry have all faced similar cases. Osbourne did not comment on the lawsuit.

2: US Copyright Office Launches Inquiry Into Performance Rights Organizations

Next up today, Daniel Tencer at Music Business Worldwide reports that the United States Copyright Office (USCO) has launched an inquiry into performance rights organizations (PROs), specifically with the increase in the number of such organizations.

PROs license musical compositions for use in businesses such as stores, restaurants and bars. For much of modern history, the PRO landscape was dominated by ASCAP and BMI, two significant PROs under consent decrees restricting their operations. With SESAC, those three make up the “traditional” PROs.

However, three new PROs have formed within the last twelve years. They include Global Music Rights, PRO Music Rights and AllTracks. The USCO is concerned that the spate of new PROs could impact music licensing. The USCO also plans to examine how the PROs treat artists, especially as several have attracted buyouts or investments from venture capital firms. The deadline for public comment is April 11, 2025.

3: Web Blocks Fail to “Address the Root Causes of Piracy,” VPN Trade Body Tells Copyright Owners

Finally, today, Chris Cooke at Complete Music Update reports that the VPN Trust Initiative has asked a French court to reject a site-blocking request, saying that such orders threaten security and privacy while failing to address piracy.

French broadcaster Canal+ has filed the blocking order. It is asking the courts to require local ISPs to block access to alleged pirate sites. However, in addition to regular ISPs, the order also targets DNS providers and, for the first time, VPN providers.

VPNs are commonly used tools for bypassing site blocks. However, in France, they’ve not been a target for site-blocking requests until now. The VPN Trust Initiative is urging the courts and Canal+ to abandon this approach, claiming that it endangers both security and privacy while doing little to fight piracy.

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