The latest issue of Music & Copyright is now available for subscribers to download. Here are some of the highlights.
Final judgment and permanent injunction filing details the end of Youtube-mp3.org
Almost exactly one year ago, the RIAA, on behalf of the three major record companies and some of their subsidiary labels, filed legal action at the US District Court for the Central District of California against the operator of stream-ripping website Youtube-mp3.org. Now, following a new filing, this time detailing a final judgment and permanent injunction against the site and its owner, the RIAA along with the IFPI and BPI have confirmed in a joint statement that the site has shut down. The filing detailed the terms agreed by Youtube-mp3.org’s creator, Philip Matesanz. Although the permanent closure of the world’s most popular stream-ripping service is good news for the music industry, stream-ripping has become the most prevalent form of music piracy in the online world, and there are plenty of other services that are likely to take over Youtube-mp3.org’s role in facilitating the popular form of music piracy.
Italy’s recorded-music sector suffers midyear fall in CD album sales and audio subscriptions
New figures published by Italian music trade association FIMI suggest that the country might well be heading for a full-year contraction after four consecutive years of growth. Just two years ago, FIMI was reporting growth of more than 20% in the first half of 2015, with sales of both physical and digital formats and services rising sharply. Last year, paid subscriptions just managed to offset the fall in both CD album and download sales. However, in the first half of this year, trade earnings from paid subscriptions were flat, so the drop in CD album sales has resulted in lower overall trade revenue. FIMI commented that the reason for the slowdown was largely to do with the lack of any big-name Italian artist releases. The trade association also highlighted the positive six-month period for vinyl.
Technology developments set to enhance the digital music experience
Disruption is an overused word, but many in the music industry know first hand what it means, having taken a hammering from file-sharing technology and aggressive pirating operations in recent times. Piracy remains an issue for the industry, but the outlook is no longer as negative thanks to the popularity of streaming services: Consumers may no longer want to own music, but an increasing number are demonstrating that they are prepared to make regular subscription payments to gain access to millions of tracks. However, like all new technology, streaming is a double-edged sword. Taking its cue from Ovum’s consumer Trends to Watch report series, this research note picks out three key trends – two tech innovations and one relating to legislation – that music industry players should keep an eye on in 2018.
Mexico country report
In addition to the usual set of music industry statistics and news briefs, the latest issue of Music & Copyright includes a detailed Mexico music industry report. Mexico is South America’s second-largest recorded-music market and the continent’s biggest live market. Following two years of decline in 2013 and 2014, record company earnings from recorded music sales and services registered impressive growth in 2015 and 2016, with the rise driven by a big jump in music subscriptions. Mexico crossed the digital tipping point in 2014, and the gap between digital and physical has subsequently widened significantly.
If you want to know more about Music & Copyright then follow the below links.
Music & Copyright is published by Ovum.
Music & Copyright's Blog 