Spotify Dethroned, Suno Breached, AI Lawsuits Advance — July 23

Email us hereApple Music has quietly dethroned Spotify among US premium subscribers, Suno confirmed a massive data breach exposing 55 million users, and the American Federation of Musicians is pushing its AI licensing lawsuit against the two biggest majors forward. Meanwhile, Sony's $1.27B Queen deal gets its first financial confirmation, and a landmark Anthropic copyright settlement clears final approval. Deals & M&A • Sony's Rock Bidco filings confirm the Queen catalog acquisition at GBP £1.079 billion, generating £26.8M in royalties. • Nothing Standard launches publishing JV with UMPG UK and a new label via Virgin Music Group. • Reservoir Media acquires Nacional Records' catalog and publishing arm, adds Latin artist JV. Lawsuits & AI • AFM urges court to let its lawsuit against UMG and WMG over Suno/Udio AI deals proceed. • Concord v. Anthropic narrows to direct infringement claims, sharpening stakes ahead of a ruling. • Suno confirms November 2025 data breach exposing personal data of 55.3 million users. • Anthropic's $1.5 billion copyright settlement — largest known in US history — receives final court approval. Streaming & Tech • Apple Music overtakes Spotify in US premium subscribers after Spotify's $12.99 price hike. • YouTube ads hit $11.06 billion in Q2 2026, up 12.9%, but subscriptions are growing even faster. • Instagram lets creators swap music on published posts without deleting and re-uploading content. Live & Touring • Massachusetts' Great Divide Act would cap resale tickets at 110% face value, backed by RIAA, NIVA, and others. Artists & Releases • Johnny Cash's personal archive will be permanently housed at Belmont University in Nashville. International • UK recorded-music exports hit a record £800.3 million in 2025, led by Olivia Dean and Lola Young. • France becomes first EU nation to ban under-15s from social media, with music discovery implications. Five minutes, six categories, zero fluff.