3 Count: Alien Superstar

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1: Beyoncé Hit With Lawsuit Over Claims Alien Superstar Uses Unlicensed Spoken‑Word Sample

First off today, Lizzie Baker at Contact Music reports that Beyoncé is facing a copyright infringement lawsuit over her 2022 song Alien Superstar and allegations that she used an unlicensed sample in the song.

The track in question features a spoken-word instruction telling listeners to “remain calm and stay on the dance floor.” According to the lawsuit, filed by Hirose Enterprise and producer Shuji Hirose, that sample came from the John Holiday song Moonraker.

Foremost Poets, Holiday’s pseudonym for the track, was credited on the track. However, the lawsuit alleges that Holiday did not own the rights to the song.

2: South Korea Reverses Ban on AI-Assisted Music Copyright

Next up today, Amira Waworuntu at Mixmag Asia reports that the Korea Music Copyright Association (KOMCA) has rescinded its previous ban on AI-generated or AI-assisted music, moving to a disclosure system, which will allow artists to register works that were created with AI assistance with the association.

Back in March, the organization announced a 0% AI rule. That rule barred any use of AI in songs registered with the organization, which is critical for receiving royalties in South Korea. Under the new rule, wholly AI-generated songs are still barred, but works created with AI assistance are allowed as long as the AI usage is properly disclosed.

According to the organization any songs later found to be fully AI-generated or otherwise registered with false information may result in the revocation of royalties and the termination of trust agreements.

3: Global Music Rights and Music Choice Settle 95-Song Copyright Case

Finally today, Mandy Dalugdug at Music Business Worldwide reports that Global Music Rights (GMR) has reached a settlement with Music Choice over the alleged infringement of 95 songs that they license.

Music Choice is a company that creates both on-demand and linear cable channels for playing music. GMR sued them claiming that the company had failed to license the use of music they licensed, including songs by Billie Eilish and Finneas.

Initially, GMR was seeking up to $14.25 million in damages. However, the two sides put the case on hold so they could negotiate a settlement. Now, according to filings from both parties, the case has been settled and have asked for it to be dismissed with prejudice.

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