Intellectual Lawsuits
Cash
Money Records and Young Money
Entertainment have one of the most profitable boutique record labels in the
world. They are one of a few labels of the 90’s that were given joint label
deals that really benefit their brand and longevity as a record label.
Long time producers Damien “Deezle” Harrison
sued Lil
Wayne and Cash Money for 20 million dollars for the song “Lollipop” and “Mr. Officer”.
His lawsuit was not the only one that CMR had to deal with. Producers
Bangladesh and Jim
Jonsin also had separate lawsuits against the popular record label. They
all charged the label of not properly paying them royalties for songs that they
produced or co-produced. Bangladesh produced the song “A Milli” that sold over
a million copies. Jim Jonsin co produced the song “Lollipop” with Damien
“Deezle” Harrison and the song “Got Money”.
It was good for Cash Money Records to pay off
their debts. However, how many other producers have not received their
royalties from this record label. I think that settling the three lawsuits that
they had on the table were a good move from a PR standpoint. I like that way
that Bangladesh handle his business. I can speak from experience that
Bangladesh is all about business. I recorded a song with Bangladesh named “She
Don’t Know” that was featured on Raymond vs Raymond album. He made sure that I
did my paper work to be paid before I even left the studio. His lawyer was
present as well. Good looking out BANGLADESH!
It funny how respect, communication, and of
course money solves all issues, especially in the recording industry.
Here is video before the Bangladesh/Cash Money
settlement:
Here is a link after the Bangladesh/Cash Money
settlement:
http://www.mtv.com/videos/news/751729/bangladesh-reveals-deal-with-cash-money-records.jhtml
Music
Industry considers suing Google
The Recording
Industry Association of America and The International
Federation of the Phonographic Industry are considering an antitrust lawsuit with Google.
The plaintiffs think that Google is not doing enough to stop sending traffic to
piracy sites like Piracy Bay. The two parties are continuing to negotiate with
Google “To obtain better anti-privacy cooperation in various areas."(Digital Trends, 2012) Google has
also provided an internet tool that helps track piracy websites. The IFPI
wants Google to more than they doing and faster. They want Google to rank “legal”
sites higher than sites that engage in copyright infringement. (Digital Trends, 2012)
I think that Google should be worried about he
consequences of this important issue that could turn disastrous. If they cannot
settle this dispute on their own, Google would probably loose advertising
dollars due to the shift in consumers to legal sites before the illegal sites.
Google has enough money to fight this case as well as the RIAA and IFPI. Being
that it would be an antitrust lawsuit, Google may want to continue to work on
this one so it does not reach the lawsuit phase. The pressure will become
greater as the RIAA and IFPI will want concession sooner as they are both
feeling the pain from piracy and file sharing. They want to try to
slow the momentum that the file sharing companies have over them.
The Grooveshark Copyright Lawsuit
Grooveshark
is being sued by 3 of the 4 major record labels for copyright
infringement due to not paying royalties to the record labels,. They also
have issues with EMI, whom they have a licensing agreement with, for not paying
royalties on the music they license from EMI. They are suing the parent company
of Grooveshark named Escape Media Group for breach of contract. They had not
made a single payment nor provide a single accounting statement. They could end
up losing 17 billion if they lose the lawsuit. I am pretty sure they will
settle.
Grooveshark is just getting their feet wet with
the one licensing deal with EMI. I wonder what the problem is with their
accounting practices. Grooveshark will settle this case out of court. They
could lose everything if they do not. This has to be a not so smart business
deal for them, unless they are sitting on the money they make-to-make money on
the interest it accrues.
3. Links
to the three articles, videos and/or podcasts you referenced in your blog (and
any
other sources you used to write your blog post)
Cash Money Links
http://www.xxlmag.com/news/latest-headlines/2010/04/jim-jonsin-files-500k-lawsuit-against-lil-wayne/
Google Links
Grooveshark
links
