Sony/WC Sue Anthropic, IFPI Fraud Initiative, Celine's Return - Sept 14

Email us hereSony Music Publishing and Warner Chappell's federal copyright suit against Anthropic dominates today's brief, making all three major publishers active litigants against the AI company. The IFPI launches a sweeping anti-fraud push backed by the majors and HYBE, while Celine Dion marks a triumphant return to the stage after six years away. Ticketing legislation in California produces a split verdict, and BigHit Music opens its global talent search. Lawsuits & AI • Sony Music Publishing + Warner Chappell sue Anthropic and two execs, seeking up to $150,000 per infringed work. • All three major publishers are now active litigants against Claude's maker in separate federal suits. Streaming & Tech • IFPI's Streaming Integrity Initiative launches Sept 14, backed by majors, HYBE, Merlin + 18 distributors. • Signatories commit to KYC checks, fraud vetting + intel-sharing; DistroKid, Believe/TuneCore + SoundOn absent. • ElevenLabs Music v2.5 launches with lossless free-tier downloads; explicitly separate from its UMG licensing deal. • UK Official Charts Company debuts weekly Homegrown Albums Chart for UK artists, highlights on BBC Radio 1. • Spotify-Genius deal brings weekly Open Mic + Verified video episodes to the platform, plus archival content. Live & Touring • Celine Dion opens 26-date Paris residency Sept 12, her first concert in six-plus years since her SPS diagnosis. • Sold-out Plenitude Arena crowd of roughly 45,000 greeted her return. • California's 10% resale price-cap bill AB 1720 dies in Senate committee; anti-ghost-ticket bill AB 1349 passes but faces veto pressure. International • BigHit Music (BTS, TXT) launches 2026 Global Audition in 15 cities; open to males born 2008 or later, any nationality. • EU recorded music revenue hit nearly $7 billion in 2025, growing faster than China despite lower streaming penetration. • Live Nation CFO: 30% of the company's largest tours now perform in non-English languages. Also Today • Busta Rhymes calls out streaming's persistent failure to fairly pay artists and producers outside the top tier. • Nashville airport unanimously votes to add Dolly Parton's name to its official title. • Rapper bbno$ added as playable character in Subway Surfers' Buenos Aires World Tour update. Five minutes, six categories, zero fluff.