In today’s CMU Daily: The UK government has formally responded to the ‘Creator Remuneration’ report published by Parliament’s culture select committee. Its response includes a renewed commitment to the Creator Remuneration Working Group as “the best way” to address concerns raised by music creators about streaming income 

Also today: Having been incarcerated ever since his arrest in May 2022, Young Thug was yesterday freed from jail after pleading guilty to gang related charges, bringing to a sudden end a long-running and chaotic trial; The man who, as a baby, appeared on the cover of Nirvana’s ‘Nevermind’ is suing the band and their label claiming that the artwork breached US laws against child pornography - the RIAA has now come out in support of the band

Plus: Horizon Future Leaders interview with Saskhia Menendez

Streaming inequalities should be resolved via Creator Remuneration Working Group says UK government, renewing commitment to cross-industry dialogue

The UK government has reaffirmed its commitment to the Creator Remuneration Working Group, which brings together stakeholders from across the music industry to discuss how streaming income is shared. It believes that forum provides “the best way to address creator concerns on remuneration in music”. 

The new commitment is made in a formal response to a recent report from Parliament’s culture select committee. Its Chair, Caroline Dinenage MP, welcomes that and other commitments, but cautions that ministers now need to “address gaps in copyright protections and support that are clearly leaving many struggling to get by”. 

The report, on ‘Creator Remuneration’, wasn’t just focused on music, but did serve to revisit some of the topics considered in the committee’s earlier inquiry into the economics of music streaming. 

It highlighted that - since that streaming inquiry in 2021 - the government has commissioned various pieces of research into how artists and songwriters share in streaming income, as well as examining possible copyright law reforms that would impact on how music creators get paid. 

The committee said that, following that work, the “government must take stock of the results” of the research and “explore fundamental reform of music streaming” to implement measures to “make streaming work for all”. 

In today’s response, the government acknowledges that “many creators continue to have understandable concerns about remuneration and the split of streaming revenues”, adding, “it is vital that discussions and policy-making in this area take place on an informed, evidence-led basis”. 

However, the government has stopped short of...

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Shock development sees Young Thug walk free after chaotic 22 month-long trial

Young Thug has been released from jail after he pleaded guilty to gang, drug and gun charges, and was handed a sentence of time served with fifteen years probation. It was a sudden and dramatic ending to a chaotic and long-running trial that centred on allegations that the rapper’s label YSL was, in fact, a criminal gang responsible for murder, armed robbery and carjackings. 

The news was welcomed by Kevin Liles, who said that there would be time to “discuss the criminalisation of hip-hop lyrics” in the future, but - for now - “everyone should feel nothing but joy that this amazing artist and even better man can hug his children, parents, siblings and other loved ones tonight”.

Liles was, until recently, the boss of Young Thug’s distribution partner, Warner Music’s 300 Entertainment, and he has been outspoken about the criminal case against the rapper and especially the use of his lyrics as evidence. “Words can’t express the incredible happiness and relief I feel”, he added about hearing that the rapper had been freed from jail. 

The sudden and abrupt end to the trial followed days of plea deal negotiations between lawyers representing the rapper, real name Jeffery Williams, and state prosecutors. Although the basis of a deal had been agreed, prosecutors were pushing for a significant jail term as part of that arrangement, with 25 years in custody and another 20 on probation.

Nirvana baby lawsuit takes new turn as RIAA files amicus brief saying litigation could have chilling effects

The Recording Industry Association Of America has intervened in the ongoing legal dispute over the artwork for Nirvana’s 1991 ‘Nevermind’ album. Spencer Elden, who appears as a baby swimming underwater in the artwork, went legal in 2021 claiming that, because he was nude in the image, the band and their label breached US laws against child pornography. 

In its amicus brief filed in support of the band and label, the RIAA says this is a “far-reaching theory” of legal liability that goes against free speech protections under American law, and is something that “cannot be reconciled” with the all important First Amendment of the US Constitution. 

Any decision in court that sided with Elden would, adds the record industry trade body, have “a serious chilling effect on the recording industry and on artistic expression more generally”. 

The ‘Nevermind’ album cover is “one of the most celebrated visual works in the history of album art design”, the RIAA continues. Elden’s lawsuit claims that the artwork “depicts a minor engaging in ‘sexually explicit conduct’”, but that’s just not true, the RIAA insists. 

While First Amendment free speech rights obviously do not extend to images of child abuse, the image on the ‘Nevermind’ album does not “meet the definition of ‘sexually explicit conduct’” under the relevant US laws, the RIAA says. 

🌅 Horizon Future Leaders - Saskhia Menendez Q&A

As part of Horizon Future Leaders, we’re connecting with the music industry’s next generation of leaders to gather candid advice and insights into their career journeys. 

This week, we caught up with Saskhia Menendez.

As a multi-hyphenate professional in the music industry, Saskhia exemplifies a strong commitment to equity, representation and advocacy. She highlights impactful initiatives, like the trans charter she is developing and her involvement with the Live Music Industry Expert Group, both of which foster meaningful change and support underrepresented voices in the industry.

Her career reflects that success is not just about climbing the ladder; it’s about actively contributing to a more inclusive environment. By staying consistent and engaging with diverse perspectives, Saskhia exemplifies the importance of an equally accessible industry.