Dylan Smith

HarbourView Acquires ‘Select Catalog Assets’ from Rodney Jerkins — With Chapter Two ‘Facilitating’ the Deal

May 29, 2025

Rodney Jerkins, who's sold an interest in his work to HarbourView. Photo Credit: HarbourView Let the IP acquisitions continue: HarbourView Equity Partners has officially purchased “select catalog assets” from... Read More...

Judge Denies Perlmutter Restraining Order Request Against Trump Administration — Possible Preliminary Injunction Push Takes Center Stage

Dylan Smith

May 29, 2025

The E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse, where the lawsuit filed by former USCO head Shira Perlmutter is unfolding. Photo Credit: Toohool A federal judge has rejected a request from Shira Perlmutter for a... Read More...

Back in ‘Acquisition Mode,’ Round Hill Announces ‘Flurry’ of Catalog Investments — Stakes in ‘Physical,’ ‘I Love It,’ and More

Dylan Smith

May 29, 2025

A live performance from Dirty Heads, which has sold "publishing and artist royalties" to Round Hill Music. Photo Credit: Constantino14 Back in “acquisition mode,” Round Hill Music has scooped up “a range of d... Read More...

More Festival Sector Carnage: Wannasee Ltd. Says It ‘Will Not Be Able to Continue,’ Axes 10+ Events

Dylan Smith

May 29, 2025

Wannasee Limited has shut down and canceled a number of its music festivals. Photo Credit: Adrià Sánchez Roqué The UK’s Wannasee Limited has confirmed that it “will not be able to continue” operating, and the... Read More...

‘World Hold On’ Creator Bob Sinclar Inks Warner Chappell Admin and Sub-Publishing Deal

Dylan Smith

May 28, 2025

(l to r) Warner Chappell France senior A&R exec Valentin Zucca, Bob Sinclar, and Warner Chappell France MD Matthieu Tessier. Photo Credit: Warner Music Bob Sinclar (real name Christophe Le Friant), the DJ... Read More...

34 Years Later, Metallica’s ‘Black Album’ Hits 20x Platinum — and 2x Diamond — Certification In the US

Dylan Smith

May 28, 2025

A live performance from Metallica, which has achieved 20x Platinum certification with The Black Album. Photo Credit: Raph_PH Metallica’s self-titled 1991 album (aka The Black Album) has officially moved 20 mi... Read More...

Trump Administration Fires Back Against Perlmutter’s Lawsuit and Reinstatement Push, Emphasizing ‘Clear Authority to Remove the Register of Copyrights’

Dylan Smith

May 28, 2025

The Trump administration is firing back against a lawsuit filed by axed Register of Copyrights Shira Perlmutter. Photo Credit: Tabrez Syed An intensifying battle for USCO control: The Trump administration is ... Read More...

Sync Platform MAIA Universe Draws $1.1 Million Raise With Support from Max Martin and Others

Dylan Smith

May 27, 2025

Stockholm, Sweden, where MAIA Universe (previously Freshsound) is headquartered. Photo Credit: Anna Hunko Stockholm-based sync platform MAIA Universe (formerly Freshsound) has scored north of $1.13 million in... Read More...

Hybe to Sell Remaining SM Entertainment Stake to Tencent in $175 Million+ Deal

Dylan Smith

May 27, 2025

A live performance from SM Entertainment act Aespa. Photo Credit: Plumflower Snow Hybe has officially moved to sell its remaining SM Entertainment stake – encompassing almost 10% of the rival K-pop agency – t... Read More...

Downtown Music Publishing Africa Sets Sail Following Sheer Rebrand, Tees Up ‘An Expanded Suite of Services’

Dylan Smith

May 27, 2025

Downtown Music Publishing Africa managing director Thando Makhunga. Photo Credit: Seventwo Creative Agency Another high-profile expansion in Africa – this time from Downtown, which has rebranded its Sheer Pub... Read More...

Lil Wayne Producer Sues Universal Music Over Millions In Allegedly Owed Royalties: ‘UMG Has Simply Taken Advantage of Harrison’s Hard Work’

Dylan Smith

May 26, 2025

Producer Deezle (Darius Harrison), who's filed a missing-royalties lawsuit against Universal Music, posing with his Grammys from Lil Wayne's Tha Carter III. Photo Credit: Claudio Ch Zayas Lil Wayne producer D... Read More...

Another Taylor Swift Catalog Deal? Shamrock Is Reportedly Looking to Sell the Artist’s Original Masters

Dylan Smith

May 26, 2025

An Eras Tour performance from Taylor Swift, whose original catalog might be changing hands once again. Photo Credit: Paolo V Shamrock Capital is actively looking to offload Taylor Swift’s original masters – a... Read More...

Author Dylan Smith