Como No & La Linea // Director (London/Hybrid)

UK Music // Chief Executive (London/Hybrid)

Ambassador Theatre Group // Ticketing Ops Senior Assistant (London)

Domino // Promo Dept Coordinator (London/Hybrid)

The Ivors Academy // Chief Executive (London/Hybrid)

Deviate Digital // Digital Marketing Assistant (London)

Today's music business news

TOP STORY

Google agrees to $700 million settlement of app store legal case - though concessions on app rules criticised for being too narrow

Google will further evolve its rules around in-app payments on Android devices as a result of a massive $700 million settlement of a competition law action that involved Attorney Generals of every US state.

Josh Stein, the Attorney General of one of the states that led on the action, North Carolina, told Reuters that the changes Google will have to implement "will result in more innovation among app developers and lower prices for consumers, and that was always our number one goal".

Both Google and Apple have faced lots of criticism regarding the rules they force on companies that operate apps on Android and iOS devices. Most criticised are the rules that force some app-makers to use Google and Apple’s own commission-charging transaction systems when taking in-app payments.

In the music industry, Spotify has been particularly vocal on all this. It actually reached a deal with Google that allows it to take in-app payments via its own transactions system. Meanwhile, with Apple, the music service put pressure on competition regulators around the world to force a change to the rules, especially in the European Union where a decision on a long-running investigation is expected in the new year.

Fortnite maker Epic Games, also very vocal in this domain, sued both Apple and Google in the US courts. In the Apple case, a judge mainly sided with the tech giant, although did say that under Californian law Apple should allow Epic to link to alternative payment options from its iOS app. The Google case went before a jury which sided with Epic earlier this month.

In the action led by the US states, Reuters explains, "Google was accused of overcharging consumers through unlawful restrictions on the distribution of apps on Android devices and unnecessary fees for in-app transactions. It did not admit wrongdoing".

A settlement was actually reached in September, but publication of the deal was held off pending the Epic court case. Google will pay $630 million into a settlement fund for consumers and $70 million into a fund that will be used by the states. Over 70 million American consumers are likely due compensation, so the money received by each person will be relatively modest despite the massive total pay out.

Of more interest to app-makers are the commitments Google has made to change its app rules, including around in-app payments. However, critics argue that the changes are not actually that radical, and - with in-app payments - Google will simply extend the 'user choice billing' scheme it has already been piloting.

It was under that scheme that Spotify was able to start taking in-app payments on Android devices again, providing Google Pay is also an option. In the Epic court case it was revealed that Spotify secured very good terms as part of that scheme. However, other app makers are not being offered any where near as good a deal, meaning Google will still get a decent cut of any money even when third party transaction systems are used.

Epic boss Tim Sweeney said on Twitter: "The state attorneys general settlement is an injustice to all Android users and developers. The settlement endorses Google's 30% monopoly rent imposition, by replacing the anticompetitive Google Play billing tie with a new anticompetitive Google-imposed 'user choice billing' tie which adds a useless 26% Google tax for payments they don’t process".

ONE LINERS

One Liners: Shygirl, Daniel Johnston, Nena + more

DEALS

BMG has increased its stake in the catalogue of German band Nena, including their 1983 song ‘99 Luftballons’. “Nena’s journey with ‘99 Luftballons’ has been a remarkable one, and we are THRILLED with BMG’s investment in the band’s catalogue”, say the band. “This song has been a symbol of peace across borders, and we look forward to seeing it continue to resonate with audiences around the world. BMG's commitment to preserving and promoting our musical legacy aligns perfectly with the spirit of '99 Luftballons’”.

Lyric licensing firm LyricFind has acquired music video creation platform Rotor Video. “We’re THRILLED to be joining the LyricFind team”, says Rotor CEO Diarmuid Moloney. “LyricFind’s long history of serving rightsholders fits perfectly with our goals, and we’re excited to bring an enhanced video product to their offering. LyricFind shares our vision for the Rotor technologies and can unlock the full potential of our products. We’re very excited about our future together”.

Sounds.Studio has partnered with AI music creation platform Triniti to launch a new in browser tool, allowing users to create and distribute music from one place. “Both Sounds.Studio and Triniti have a shared ethos for how AI can be harnessed to augment rather than replace musicians and are dedicated to building tools that enable new forms of creativity in the age of AI”, says Sounds.Studio’s Chris Deaner. “When creating new forms of music technology, the artist must remain front and centre, so we sought out partners that were value-aligned”.

RELEASES

Shygirl has released new single ‘f@k€’ featuring Kingdom.

All fourteen albums released by Daniel Johnston in the 80s and 90s have been remastered and reissued in 24 bit lossless audio. They are available on a pay-what-you-want basis on Bandcamp today only, after which you’ll have to pay full price. All proceeds will go to the Daniel Johnston estate “for the sole purpose of preserving Daniel’s musical and artistic legacy”.

CMU MASTERCLASSES

CMU's 2024 masterclass sessions now on sale

As the music industry prepares for the Christmas break, CMU is launching a brand new series of online masterclasses for 2024. Each Tuesday from 30 Jan CMU's Chris Cooke will share expert insights on the latest trends and developments in the music business.

The first set of four masterclasses will provide a comprehensive and timely overview of the music business in 2024, including the recording, publishing and live sectors, the digital music market, and the ways in which artist businesses are evolving. There is also a session on how music copyright is being monetised, protected and traded in 2024, and another outlining all the challenges and opportunities posed by AI.

The second set of four masterclasses will tell you everything you need to know about the economics of music streaming. They will ensure you understand how the streaming business model works - how that model is changing - and how labels, publishers, artists and songwriters get paid. We’ll also talk you through all the debates around streaming, and will outline the initiatives that are addressing data and transparency issues, explaining how you can play your part in the solutions.

Each masterclass will be delivered live at 2.30pm UK time every Tuesday from 30 Jan, with the opportunity to ask questions. All will be available on-demand following the live delivery - so attendees can access the materials at any time. Bookings are now being taken at special early bird rates. 

ARTIST NEWS

Kesha formally parts company with Dr Luke's label and her long-term manager

Kesha will move into a new phase of her career next year with a new label and new management. It's been confirmed that her deal with Dr Luke's Sony Music-allied label Kemosabe has reached its conclusion, plus she has parted company with her long-term manager Jack Rovner.

Rovner's company Vector Management said in a statement to Variety yesterday: “Jack Rovner confirms, after sixteen years, Kesha and Vector Management have agreed amicably to part ways, with much love and respect".

The change in business partners follows the settlement earlier this year of a long-running legal battle between Kesha and Dr Luke, which centred on her allegations of rape against the producer. There were various elements to that dispute, though in the end the focus was the defamation lawsuit filed by Luke in relation to Kesha's rape allegations, which he denied.

That defamation case was due to get to trial this year, but in June both parties announced the litigation had been settled. Kesha said at the time: “Only God knows what happened that night. As I have always said, I cannot recount everything that happened. I am looking forward to closing the door on this chapter of my life and beginning a new one. I wish nothing but peace to all parties involved”.

Sony Music got pulled into the Kesha v Dr Luke legal battle because of its business partnership with the producer. In 2016, fans called on the major to intervene when Kesha tried to get out of her contractural commitments to Kemosabe.

Despite a a petition, signed by more than 400,000 Kesha fans and supporters, the company insisted that it couldn't unilaterally cancel Kesha's record contract, because it was with Luke's label rather than Sony directly. However, it said it would seek to allow Kesha to complete her contractual obligations to Kemosabe without actively working with Luke.

Those obligations were seemingly met with the release of her fifth album 'Gag Order' earlier this year and her deal with Kemosabe formally came to an end last week.

Confirming that she has also decided to seek new management moving forward, Kesha said in a new statement yesterday: "My manager has been an unwavering supporter of helping me get through the lengthy legal battle I have been embroiled in for almost a decade”.

“We have achieved many great successes and have shared a magnificent part of my life [together]”, she added. “I am so grateful to them and always will be. In need of a fresh start in my life, we have parted ways but I will remain forever grateful for the run we had".