Welcome to our Weekly Headline Roundup!
This week, we’re looking at label negotiations with AI music generators, the latest ICMP report, catalog valuation, and more.
Donald Trump sued by US Copyright Office Director over ‘blatantly unlawful’ firing
The ousted head of the US Copyright Office has filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump, after having been fired by the White House a day after releasing a report on AI and copyright that largely sided with rightsholders and against AI developers.
– Daniel Tencer, Music Business Worldwide
20 years ago, labels targeted fandom. Will it work the second time around?
With the biggest labels positioning fan monetisation as critical to their futures, it is a good time to look back on the past. What happened the last time the music industry went after expanded rights – and what might play out differently now?
– Tatiana Cirisano, MIDiA
Music Publishing Markets Around the Globe Worth Over $11 Billion, Says First-Ever ICMP Report
ICMP, the global music publishing organization representing 90% of the world’s commercially released music, has released its first-ever report on global music revenue, documenting the earnings of 16 of the top music markets.
– Kristin Robinson, Billboard
In total, ICMP found that these select markets — United States, United Kingdom, France, Japan, Germany, Australia, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Canada, South Korea, the Netherlands, Brazil, Mexico, Hong Kong and South Africa — were worth more than $11 billion alone.
Universal, Warner, and Sony in talks to license AI music generators Suno and Udio (report)
The major music companies are reportedly in licensing talks with controversial AI music generators Udio and Suno.
– Mandy Dalugdug, Music Business Worldwide
That’s according to Bloomberg, which reported on Sunday (June 1), citing people familiar with the discussions, that Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group,and Sony Music Entertainment are seeking license fees from the platforms plus “a small amount” of equity in both Suno and Udio.
Catalog Gold Rush: 5 Things We Learned From Citrin Cooperman’s Valuation Experts
Citrin Cooperman estimates a record-setting number of music catalogs with a combined value of around $20 billion were floated to investors last year. While economic and political uncertainty so far in 2025 has sent stocks and global trade on a roller coaster, the head of Citrin Cooperman’s music and entertainment valuation practice Barry Massarsky says his team has never been busier.
– Elizabeth Dilts Marshall, Billboard
Massarsky and director Jake DeVries reviewed over 550 music catalogs with a combined asset value of $10.7 billion last year, a figure that Massarsky says “demonstrates very loudly how much volume is in the marketplace.”
NYC backs plan to hike streaming prices by 50% to pay musicians as much as $40k a year each
A proposal that could see every musician in the US better off to the tune of $40k a year via a 50% levy on music streaming subscriptions has been endorsed by New York City Council. It says Congress should back the proposals which would provide new income for musicians living and working in NYC
– Chris Cooke & Sam Taylor, Complete Music Update