Trump/Live Nation DOJ Bombshell, Sony Sues Kroger for 392 Tracks - Aug 25

Email us hereA Wall Street Journal investigation dropped a political earthquake on the Live Nation antitrust case today, while Sony Music filed an aggressive copyright suit against grocery giant Kroger. Meanwhile, ARIA moved to ban fully AI-generated tracks from its charts, and the AFM's AI-compensation war with Warner Music got more complicated. Lawsuits & AI • WSJ confirms Trump told a DOJ official to "settle it" on Live Nation antitrust after an Oval Office meeting with CEO Michael Rapino; Ticketmaster forced-sale remedies still pending before Judge Subramanian. • Sony Music sued Kroger Co. — parent of Ralphs, Mariano's, and Harris Teeter — over 392 alleged willful unauthorized uses of its recordings in social media ads. • AFM dropped AI-compensation breach claims against Warner Music Group Corp.'s holding entity, but the suit against operating label Warner Records continues; AFM's UMG suit remains fully intact. • A Connecticut streamer filed a proposed class action against Twitch and Amazon alleging Amazon scraped millions of streams since 2024 to train generative AI without consent. • Australia's ARIA Charts will ban fully AI-generated tracks starting August 29, adopting the IFPI labeling framework; ineligible tracks also barred from ARIA Awards. Streaming & Tech • YouTube Premium is raising prices 10–15% across Europe, Asia, and other international markets effective September 23, following earlier US hikes. • TikTok's SoundOn distribution arm signed Nashville songwriter Gina Jones's AI-assisted "Gina's Pet Bangers" project, reigniting debate over classifying human-directed AI music. • Chartmetric launched Flow AI, an analytics assistant designed to interpret data beyond raw numbers for artists and label marketing teams. Live & Touring • AEG signed a multiyear exclusive with Archer Aviation to build LA's first vertiport at L.A. Live, targeting launch before the 2028 Olympics. • Ticketmaster canceled scalped Olivia Rodrigo "Unraveled Tour" tickets that violated purchase terms, then reissued them to fans at face value. • BBC Introducing announced a month-long UK live event series after losing its Reading and Leeds festival stage. Artists & Releases • Nashville veteran Gina Jones built a viral AI-assisted country-hip-hop act by cloning her own voice and running a paid influencer campaign before landing her SoundOn deal. International • Believe India launched contemporary pop imprint BL/UR in Mumbai, debuting with artists Sanju Rathod and Anurag Saikia at the company's global 20th anniversary event. Five minutes, six categories, zero fluff.