Duran Duran "outraged and saddened" after losing copyright reversion right case
Duran Duran have told reporters that they are "outraged and saddened" after losing a High Court case that examined the reach of the reversion right in US copyright law, and whether or not the specifics of English copyright assignment contracts can overrule that right. On Friday a High Court judge decided that yes, they can.

As previously reported, this all relates to the bit of American copyright law that gives songwriters who assign their works to third parties the right to reclaim said copyrights after 35 years. Although this all originates in a 1978 law, because of the way it was applied to works already published at that time, the whole thing only really kicked in a few years ago, and the intricacies of the reversion rights system are still being tested.

The Duran Duran case tested whether the reversion right meant that songwriters who assigned their copyrights to music publishers outside the US could still automatically reclaim control of their songs within America after 35 years.

When Duran Duran members Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, Roger Taylor and John Taylor, and former member Andy Taylor, filed the required paperwork to reclaim the American song rights in their first three albums and Bond theme 'A View To A Kill', their publisher - Sony/ATV controlled Gloucester Place Music - insisted that their 1980s publishing contract, governed by English law, didn't allow any such reversion.

The case arrived in court last month, with lawyers for Gloucester Place Music insisting that this dispute was entirely one of contractual interpretation. Legal reps for Duran Duran said that if Gloucester Place Music won it would set a dangerous precedent, in that publishers could circumvent songwriter rights provided by US law through the UK courts.

On Friday, judge Richard Arnold concurred with the publisher, ruling that the wording of Duran Duran's publishing agreement "would have conveyed to a reasonable person... that the parties' intention was that the 'entire copyrights' in the compositions should vest, and remain vested, in the claimant for the 'full term' of the copyrights". Which is to say that the US reversion right, which already existed at the time the publishing deal was done, would not apply when 35 years were up.

Responding to the ruling, Rhodes said, according to the BBC: "We are shocked that English contract law is being used to overturn artists' rights in another territory. We signed a publishing agreement as unsuspecting teenagers, over three decades ago, when just starting out and when we knew no better. Today, we are told that language in that agreement allows our long-time publishers, Sony/ATV, to override our statutory rights under US law".

He continued: "This gives wealthy publishing companies carte blanche to take advantage of the songwriters who built their fortune over many years, and strips songwriters of their right to rebalance this reward. If left untested, this judgment sets a very bad precedent for all songwriters of our era".

It's true that many UK songwriters with publishing contracts from the same era were watching the Duran Duran case with interest, as it could have an impact on their own attempts to exercise the reversion right in the US, something plenty of British songwriters have been investigating of late. Noting that, Le Bon told reporters that: "I know that other artists in similar positions will be as outraged and saddened as we are [about the ruling]".

Meanwhile, one copyright law specialist, Robert Lundie Smith of law firm EIP, said that the judgement illustrated the importance of covering all the specifics in copyright assignment contracts, noting that the judge had said "as is so often the case, the dispute in this case arises because the music publishing agreements do not explicitly address the issue in question".

Lundie Smith said on Friday: "The issue in this case - and so many others - is that the relevant right was not expressly addressed. Where this happens it will leave the door open for legal uncertainty and, in big money cases, litigation".

He went on: "Firstly, the judge found as a fact, that when entering into the contract, the parties were in general terms aware of the relevant provision of US law that might - but as found today did not - have given the band the right to terminate the agreement and regain the US copyrights in their works".

"Secondly, the contract being considered by the court - which was a worldwide agreement - was expressly governed by English law and the parties had agreed to give the English courts exclusive jurisdiction to hear any disputes. The judgment also indicates that the band did not seek to rely upon any expert evidence of US law. This is a dispute where the parties do not appear to have themselves - at the time - considered that a court in London should not rule upon this issue".

He concluded: "Finally, the dispute was not about whether English law could over-ride that of a US statutory right. The question for the court was, in essence, whether the right to terminate the agreement under US law had been retained by the band under the agreement - which is governed by English law - or not. It is perhaps a fine distinction, but it is an important distinction nonetheless".

It remains to be seen what Duran Duran do next, and what impact this judgement has on other British songwriters seeking to reclaim the American rights in their older songs.

Live Nation expands its festivals business into Australia through Secret Sounds deal
Having presumably spotted that there was a whole two festivals in which it didn't have a stake, Live Nation has bought 51% of Australian firm Secret Sounds Group, the company behind Aussie festivals Splendour In The Grass and the multiple-site Falls Music & Arts Festival.

The live music giant says that the deal further expands its "unparalleled festival platform" which already "operates over half of the top 25 festivals around the world". Meanwhile the founders of Secret Sounds - Jessica Ducrou and Paul Piticco - said the deal would enable them to take their ambition to introduce Australians "to the best artists, events and music possible" to "the next level". And we all know that the grass is always greener on the next level. Even in New South Wales.

"Splendour In The Grass and Falls are the two most iconic festivals in Australia", said Live Nation top man chief supremo guy Michael Rapino when confirming his firm's move into the Aussie festival market. "Jess and Paul have created events that attract the biggest artists in the world but still feel uniquely Australian. We look forward to partnering with them to find new ways to grow our live event footprint across Australia".

Ducrou and Piticco added in a joint statement: "We started Secret Sounds with the sole mission of introducing Australians to the best artists, events and music possible, and Live Nation is the perfect partner to help us take this goal to the next level. With their support we can continue to curate the line-ups that fans love, while also experimenting with new exciting ways for fans to experience live music".

And the boss of Live Nation Australia Michael Coppel chipped in: "We wholeheartedly welcome Jess and Paul and their teams into the rapidly growing Live Nation Australia family. Our new relationship with the Secret Sounds Group confirms Live Nation's position at the forefront of the Australian live performance industry".

Stormin. The deal also gives Live Nation a stake in the touring, sponsorship and artist management sides of the Secret Sounds business, though not its sister record and music publishing company, or its interests in the North Byron Parklands festival site and The Triffid venue in Brisbane.

PPL reveals most-played Christmas songs of 2015
A highlight of last Christmas for me was when Rage Against The Machine's 'Killing In The Name' tore through post-lunch nap-time, thanks to the playlist of festive number one singles I was playing. But was it one of last year's most-played Christmas songs on TV and radio? No, it was not. I'll tell you that now. But I can tell you what the top 20 were.

The UK record industry's collecting society PPL has compiled a list of the most-played Christmas songs (not actually being one of those probably discounts 'Killing In The Name' too, before any plays were even counted) during the festive period a year ago. And right up top is 'All I Want for Christmas Is You' by Mariah Carey, back where it belongs having only been at number three in 2014.

"Music is ubiquitous with Christmas, traditionally going hand-in-hand with the festive season", says PPL CEO Peter Leathem. "At this time of the year, classic tracks and sing-a-long hits nurture nostalgia and entertain radio and TV audiences across the UK. PPL's chart shows how Christmas-themed music can transcend genres with pop, new wave, rock n roll and gospel music featuring. Christmas airplay is well underway this year and we'll be keeping an eye on it to see what proves popular in 2016".

Here's the full list:

1. Mariah Carey - All I Want For Christmas Is You
2. Wham! - Last Christmas
3. The Pogues - Fairytale Of New York (feat Kirsty MacColl)
4. Shakin Stevens - Merry Christmas Everyone
5. East 17 - Stay Another Day
6. Slade - Merry Xmas Everybody
7. Wizzard - I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day
8. Band Aid - Do They Know It's Christmas
9. Chris Rea - Driving Home For Christmas
10. Paul McCartney - Wonderful Christmastime
11. Elton John - Step Into Christmas
12. Michael Bublé - Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
13. Greg Lake - I Believe In Father Christmas
14. The Darkness - Christmas Time (Don't Let The Bells End)
15. Jona Lewie - Stop The Cavalry
16. John & Yoko - Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
17. The Waitresses - Christmas Wrapping
18. Queen - Thank God It's Christmas
19. Leona Lewis - One More Sleep
20. Darlene Love - Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)

At least 33 people killed in fire at Californian warehouse party
At least 33 people died when a fire devastated a building hosting a warehouse party in Oakland, California on Friday night. Already the deadliest fire in the US since 100 people died during a blaze at a Great White gig in Rhode Island in 2003, it is feared the death toll will actually be higher once recovery efforts are completed.

The fire occurred at a converted warehouse that was being used by an artist collective, some of whom reportedly lived on the premises. The party was set to feature seven bands, according to reports, with electronic group Golden Donna headlining. It's not known how many people were in the building at the time of the blaze, but it's estimated it could have been about 100.

The cause of the fire is not known, though it's not thought that arson was involved. However, the investigation into the tragedy will almost certainly consider whether there were building code violations given reports of poor fire safety procedures, and the fact that the warehouse seemingly hosted live music on a regular basis

In the short term, fire crews continue to search the destroyed building - which remains unstable - for further victims. According to Reuters, local mayor Libby Schaaf confirmed that was the city's first priority, adding: "We have delivered the unacceptable and horrific news of losing a loved one to seven of our families".

Amongst the confirmed victims was Cash Askew of dream-pop band Them Are Us Too, who released their debut album on US label Dais Records last year. It told Pitchfork: "Cash Askew was an absolutely loved and treasured member of the Dais Records family. We were in awe of her talent, her gentle kindness, and her creative momentum... her passing is an excruciating loss that we may never fully process or recover from".

Pitbull launches his "most personal" fragrance to date
Pitbull is preparing to launch his third and "most personal" fragrance to date. It's not actually as bad as it sounds, named Pitbull Cuba, it actually smells like Cuba's "nightclubs, sultry beats and the quixotic combination of sugar and rum". So, er, sweat and farts, abstract sound, and alcohol then. Beautiful.

"This is my personal favourite, and it's one step closer to freedom - Cuba libre", says Pitbull. "I wanted to pay a sensorial tribute to my family heritage. Cuba is warm, sexy and vibrant. It's designed for confident individuals who flirt with the unknown".

The new fragrance comes in two varieties, Cuba Man and Cuba Woman, neither of which have quite the list of smells suggested earlier. Guys get to smell of rosemary, oakmoss and tonka beans, among various other things. Included in the ladies' fragrance are notes of magnolia, warm blonde woods and layered musks.

If those seem like things you'd enjoy smelling of, and you're willing to risk that the combined ingredients might actually really smell like the inside of a nightclub, then you'll be able to hand over your money in March.

Dear Reader announces new album
Dear Reader, aka Cherilyn MacNeil, returns with 'Day Fever' - the follow-up to her excellent 2013 album 'Rivonia' - in February. The album was recorded in San Francisco with Spoon and Mountain Goats producer John Vanderslice.

First single 'I Know You Can Hear It' is out now, accompanied by a video directed by Annikki Heinemann, who explains: "Dear Reader's song deals with the theme of death, so we decided to tell the story of a young man who has died, and his transition into the next realm. Cherilyn and her band mates play four 'ferrywomen' who help guide the man to the afterlife, and rather than a place to be feared, it is a place where he can be free".

The album is out on 24 Feb. Watch the video for 'I Know You Can Hear It' here.

Fabric announces re-opening parties in January
Fabric has announced that it will re-open on Friday 6 Jan, with three nights of music from some of the venue's closest associates.

The opening party will feature a line-up of guests to be revealed on the night, while the Saturday slot will be headlined by Craig Richards and Terry Francis. The Sunday night will see promoter Wetyourself re-instated as weekly resident, having temporarily relocated back to Club Aquarium during Fabric's temporary closure, with Jacob Husley and Peter Pixzel among the DJs in attendance.

"It's pretty much impossible for us to put a measure on just how much gratitude we are feeling right now to be able to announce our reopening proper", said Fabric last week. As previously reported, supporters donated over £300,000 to help Fabric fight Islington Council through the courts after the local authority revoked its licence in the wake of two drugs-related deaths at the venue. Though in the end a deal was done with the Council allowing the venue to re-open without going to court.

"We've said it before and we will keep on saying it - you are all to thank for this", the club continued. "The credit for this is shared among hundreds of thousands of petition signers, letter writers, donors, t-shirt bearers, artists, party promoters and more than we can ever recount. A community of people from the world over who came together and continued the principal of unity that was central to the foundation of our culture - to save us".

It added: "Now it's about what's ahead of us. We're looking ahead to filling our disco with our family of artists and club heads alike, with our sound systems including our new Pioneer Pro Audio Room Two set up pushing out mesmeric high level sound. This is what it has always been about".

More information on all three nights here.

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Moddi to perform banned songs for Index On Censorship
Moddi will perform music from his collection of banned songs, '12 Songs', at a night hosted by the Index On Censorship this week. All proceeds will go to Index's Freedom Of Expression Awards Fellowship, which supports persecuted artists, journalists and campaigners.

Released in September, '12 Songs' features Moddi's own versions of songs from around the world that were banned or censored in some way, including Pussy Riot's 'Punk Prayer', Kate Bush's 'Army Dreamers' and Israeli musician Izhar Ashdot's 'A Matter Of Habit'.

The event will take place at Hoxton Hall in London on 7 Dec. Tickets are available for £15, including a free drink. It will be excellent, you should definitely go.

Becky Hill, Rag N Bone Man, Rebecca & Fiona, more

Other notable announcements and developments today...

• Becky Hill's released the video for new single 'Warm'.

• A man prone to appearing on lists of late, Rag N Bone Man, will release his debut album, 'Human', on 10 Feb. Here's the title track.

• Rebecca & Fiona have released what they claim is the "the best fucking Christmas song ever". It's not, but it's a reasonable effort. Here's 'Cold As Xmas'.

• Dempagumi.inc have a new single out called 'WWDBEST'. A prize to whoever can work out what the hell is happening in the video.

• Preoccupations have released the video for latest single 'Memory'.

• Syd Arthur have released new track 'Monster', previously only available as the bonus track on the vinyl edition of their debut album 'Apricity'.

• Adele has announced an additional two shows at Wembley Arena next summer for the finale of her '25' world tour. She will now play the venue on 28 Jun and 2 Jul, in addition to the two previously announced dates.

• Squarepusher's Shoebaleader One will play a handful of UK shows next March, in Ramsgate, London and Brighton. They'll also be releasing an album next year. Here's a trailer.

• The Japanese House will be touring the UK in May, finishing up at Koko in Camden on 17 May. She'll also be supporting The 1975 earlier in the year, but there's no need to concern yourself with that.

Story of Lemmy statue captured in new documentary
A new short documentary about the statue of Lemmy that now stands outside the Rainbow bar in LA has been posted on YouTube.

Titled 'Live To Win: The Statue Of Lemmy Kilmister', the film was created by Rocio Romero and speaks to various people involved in the project throughout the process. The Motorhead frontman, of course, died last December, and the statue was unveiled in August this year.

"When Lemmy died, I woke up that day ... [and] I wrote [on Facebook], 'There should be a statue of Lemmy outside the Rainbow Bar & Grill'", says Hirax frontman Katon De Pena, who ended up raising $23,000 through crowdfunding for the project.

"People started saying, 'that's a great idea', so by noon that day there were so many people that had left comments, I was like, 'screw it, we'll start a petition'".

Watch the film here.