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| | In today's CMU Daily: OpenAI wants to peek behind the curtain of the New York Timesâ journalism, demanding to see reportersâ sources as a copyright legal battle heats up. The AI company is questioning what elements of the newspaperâs output are actually protected by copyright, exploiting some legal technicalities that could be used in other AI cases
One Liners: BBC invests in Condense; BMG boss joins Bertelsmann board; charts of 2024 so far; Michael Bibi to raise awareness for stem cell transplant charity; Ed Sheeran and Kasbian shows; 6 Music at All Points East; New music from The Streets, Ragz Originale, HNNY, Jake Bugg, Bklava and Jim Legxacy
Also today: The music industry responds to the UK General Election, setting out some demands for the new government; Diddy is facing yet another sexual assault lawsuit Plus: One last Tory v artists bust up over musical misappropriation
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| New York Times rejects Open AIâs unreasonable demand for journalistsâ sources in copyright case | ![](https://qbgnle.stripocdn.email/content/guids/CABINET_1e5f48625159182d5154f6cd3be14b1cc1f5e379807dada9331e0504b345ec1f/images/nyt_2240_x_678_px_1.png) | The New York Times has hit back at efforts by Open AI to force it to hand over source materials used in the creation of its articles as the high-profile copyright infringement dispute between the two companies enters the discovery phase.Â
The newspaper accuses Open AI of infringing its copyrights by training Chat GPT with its content without permission. OpenAIâs demand to see source materials used by journalists writing for the Times suggests that its defence may rely heavily on copyright technicalities as it fights the infringement lawsuit.Â
This may include opening up a debate about whether or not the works it has used to train its AI meet the threshold to be protected by copyright. If that approach is successful, that may set a precedent for technology companies involved in other AI related copyright cases, including those filed by the music industry, to engage a similar defence.
In a letter to the judge, Open AI argues that copyright protection extends âonly to those components of a work that are original to the authorâ, citing American legal precedent.Â
The AI company goes on to contend that the Times âcannot pursue a claim for infringementâ in relation to any parts of an article that were not original to the newspaper, including where press releases statements, third-party quotes or newswire content was used. | Read the full story | |
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Horizon is CMU's new weekly newsletter - published each Friday - that brings you a hand-picked selection of early-stage career opportunities from across the music industry.
Whether you're looking for your first job in music or you're ready to take a step up, Horizon is here to help you find your dream job faster.
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| Charts of 2024 so far, Michael Bibi, Ed Sheeran + more | DEALS
The BBCâs investment arm, BBC Ventures, has invested ÂŁ500,000 into Condense, a Bristol-based company whose technology powers virtual immersive gigs and is already being used by the broadcaster for its New Music Portal. The head of BBC Ventures, Jeremy Walker, says, âThe New Music Portal enables the BBC to bring the best of our performances to younger audiences who are increasingly spending time in these sorts of game-like online environmentsâ. He adds, âWe have invested ÂŁ500,000 in Condense to ensure that as they grow and build on their success the BBC stands to benefitâ.
 APPOINTMENTSÂ
BMG boss Thomas Coesfeld has been appointed to the Executive Board of the music firmâs parent company Bertelsmann. Says Bertelsmann CEO Thomas Rabe, âAs CEO of BMG, Thomas has made important decisions for the future of the business, for example by bringing digital distribution in-house and using artificial intelligence in various areas of the music business. Thomas will enrich the work of the management board as well. I look forward to working even more closely with himâ.Â
CHARTSÂ
With the first half of 2024 now done and dusted, the Official Charts Company has published charts for the biggest songs and biggest albums of the year in the UK so far. Noah Kahanâs âStick Seasonâ tops the songs chart, followed by Teddy Swimsâ âLose Controlâ and Benson Booneâs âBeautiful Thingsâ. Taylor Swift has the biggest album of the year so far with âThe Tortured Poets Departmentâ. The Weeknd is at number two with âThe Highlightsâ and Noah Kahan is at number three with âStick Seasonâ. Â
GIGS & FESTIVALSÂ
DJ Michael Bibi has announced that he will be raising awareness for stem cell transplant charity Anthony Nolan at his sold-old show in Londonâs Finsbury Park this weekend. Bibi had to cancel concerts last year when he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. He says, âadvancements in medical treatments like stem cell transplants gave me a second chance at life and are crucial in battling these conditions. Together, our community can make a difference. Thatâs why Anthony Nolan staff and volunteers will be at my homecoming show, ready to sign people up to the stem cell registerâ. He will also be selling merchandise to raise money for the Royal Marsden hospital in London where he received treatment.
Ed Sheeran has announced another run of Mathematics European shows from May to September 2025. The tour will take in Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Norway, Switzerland, Belgium, Poland, Sweden and Denmark. Tickets go on sale 10 Jul.
Kasbian have announced four UK arena shows in November with special guests The Streets. Tickets go on sale 10 Jul.
BBC Radio 6 Music has announced the line up for its stage at the All Points East Festival in London next month. Various BBC presenters will be in attendance, plus DJ sets are promised from ANNA, DEADLETTER, Deena Abdelwahed, Kelly Lee Owens, Lambrini Girls, LCY b2b YAZZUS, Los Bitchos, Not Bad For A Girl,  Self Esteem, Tim Reaper and Yyre.
RELEASES
The Streets curated fabric mix series, âfabric Presents The Streetsâ, is out today.
Ragz Originale has collaborated with Bambii on new single âIceâ.
HNNY has released his new album âLight Shines Throughâ.
Jake Bugg has released new single âAll Kinds of Peopleâ. His new album âA Modern Day Distractionâ is out 20 Sep.
Bklava has released her new fourteen track mixtape âc u l8râ.
Jim Legxacy has released new single ânothings changed (!)â. | Read online | | Labourâs landslide: UK music industry sets ambitious agenda for new government | ![](https://qbgnle.stripocdn.email/content/guids/CABINET_1e5f48625159182d5154f6cd3be14b1cc1f5e379807dada9331e0504b345ec1f/images/uk_election_2240_x_678_px.png) | The UK music industry has responded to the Labour Partyâs decisive victory in the General Election, after Keir Starmerâs party secured 412 seats in the House Of Commons. The dramatic if predictable result is a landslide victory in Parliamentary terms, with the Conservative Party well and truly kicked out of power, losing a huge number of seats, leaving them with just 121, down 250 from the 2019 election.Â
As the industry prepares to engage with the new government, a new set of ministers and the wider Parliamentary community, various trade organisations have outlined their priorities. Those include areas where they are looking for more support, more investment, greater awareness, and - inevitably in some cases - changes to the law.Â
Key issues uniting the industry include the need for increased investment in music education, tax breaks for independent music companies, greater support for grassroots venues and the night-time economy, and addressing post-Brexit touring barriers.Â
Labourâs pledge to introduce a price cap on ticket resale has also been welcomed, particularly by anti-touting campaigners, including FanFair. With Starmer vowing that âchange begins immediatelyâ in his first speech as Prime Minister earlier today, adding that actions are more important than words, there is a chance that Labour might make good on its ticket resale pledge relatively quickly.Â
| Read the full story | | Diddy faces new sexual assault lawsuit from former White Party dancer | ![](https://qbgnle.stripocdn.email/content/guids/CABINET_1e5f48625159182d5154f6cd3be14b1cc1f5e379807dada9331e0504b345ec1f/images/diddy_2240_x_678_px_1.png) | Sean âDiddyâ Combs is facing yet another sexual assault lawsuit. In a new filing with the New York courts, dancer Adria English claims that she was the victim of sex trafficking orchestrated by Combs and an employee at his Bad Boy Entertainment company, Tamiko Thomas.Â
Numerous allegations of sexual harassment and assault, and other misconduct, have been made against Combs over the last year. The rapper continues to deny all the allegations, with his lawyer, Jonathan Davis, responding to the latest litigation in a statement saying, âNo matter how many lawsuits are filed it wonât change the fact that Mr Combs has never sexually assaulted or sex trafficked anyoneâ.Â
English says that she first met Combs in 2004 when her then boyfriend Anthony Gallo attended an audition to model for the musicianâs fashion company Sean John. At the audition, Gallo was allegedly told to perform oral sex on Combs to get the job. After he refused, Gallo was told that he could still get the modeling contract if he persuaded English to work as a go-go dancer at one of Combsâ White Party events.Â
English agreed, partly to help Gallo, and partly because she believed it was legitimate employment. Once at the event, she was told to give lap dances and be âsexually flirtatiousâ with guests, and was forced to consume alcohol and drugs. After that first party, she was asked to perform at subsequent events. This, she alleges, is how Combs and Thomas were able to âgroomâ her into sex trafficking.
| Read the full story | | And Finally! MGMT last band to get a Tory track-theft diss in before they were sent packing | ![](https://qbgnle.stripocdn.email/content/guids/CABINET_1e5f48625159182d5154f6cd3be14b1cc1f5e379807dada9331e0504b345ec1f/images/mgmt_and_finally_2240_x_678_px_1.png) | As the UKâs Conservative Party packs its bags for the political wilderness, letâs - for old timeâs sake - indulge in one last Tories vs musicians showdown, where politicians have yet again managed to enrage musicians by using their music without permission.
MGMT have called out now-former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for using their track âLittle Dark Ageâ in an election campaign video. The video, which was posted last weekend on social media, included a slowed-down version of the MGMT track, accompanying footage of the UKâs armed forces with Sunak speaking about the countryâs support of Ukraine. The American duo told NME, âHow many times do we have to remind you jokers that this song is not fair game for your utter garbage? Letâs all laugh at this dingus. Clockâs ticking, mate. Happy Independence Dayâ.
| Read the full story |
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