Sony's $4.5B Udio Suit, Apple Music Price Hike - Tuesday, July 21

Email us hereSony Music escalates its AI copyright war with a second lawsuit against Udio covering 30,000+ recordings and $4.5 billion in potential damages. Apple Music raised subscription prices for the first time since 2022, and Deezer revealed AI-generated tracks now exceed half of all new daily uploads. Meanwhile, the UK's competition watchdog is circling Live Nation. Lawsuits & AI • Sony filed a second copyright suit against Udio asserting 30,117 recordings, raising damages exposure to $4.5 billion • UK's CMA is contacting industry figures as it considers a formal investigation into Live Nation's market dominance • Patent entity Muvox dropped its BMG suit, then immediately filed near-identical claims against Amazon Music and Apple Music • Bauer-Griffin sued Gamma, Vydia, French Montana, and Kanye West over unauthorized use of paparazzi footage • New York legislators are pushing a bill to ban facial recognition surveillance at venues, targeting MSG's James Dolan Streaming & Tech • Deezer says AI tracks topped 50% of daily uploads in June, averaging 90,000 per day, up from 75,000 in April • Apple Music raised US prices July 17: Individual to $11.99, Family to $19.99, Student to $6.99 — still below Spotify's $12.99 • iOS 27 will add a social Friends playlist to Apple Music, updating Thursdays with what friends are listening to • Indonesia proposed legislation that could be Southeast Asia's first copyright framework to address AI and style imitation Live & Touring • Montreux Jazz Festival's 60th edition drew 250,000-plus attendees across 700 shows over 16 days International • Germany's recorded music market grew 2.3% in 2025 to €2.42 billion, a sharp slowdown from 7.8% growth in 2024 Deals & Signings • Snow Patrol signed a global recording deal with BMG; debut single with Kylie Minogue dropped July 1 • Too Lost acquires Australian music distributor GYRO.Group in its latest catalog and distribution expansion • 3 Hats launches as a new publishing administration company aimed at independent songwriters Five minutes, six categories, zero fluff.