Music Row Dealmakers

Send us Fan MailThe labels sued Suno and Udio for stealing from artists — then settled, licensed their catalogs to those same AI companies, and (says the union) kept the money. Barry Neil Shrum and Dennis Disney break down the American Federation of Musicians’ federal lawsuit against Warner and Universal: the 1940s-vintage “new use” rule in the Sound Recording Labor Agreement, why licensing masters into an AI training set may trigger it, and why the session players who built the Nashville Sound — the A-Team — could be owed both pay and credit. Plus the labels’ brand-new motion to dismiss — their argument that the new-use clause “cannot function” without a pre-set AI rate, the union’s answer that there’s no arbitration clause so it had to sue, and why Barry thinks the labels’ “no rate, no breach” theory may prove the union’s point. Compared with last week’s Gavel Drop, GEMA’s copyright win over Suno in Munich, and where the U.S. Suno case in Boston stands. General information, not legal advice.Support the show

Send us Fan MailThe AI copyright war isn't just an American story. In this Music Row Dealmakers special Gavel Drop episode, entertainment attorney Barry Neil Shrum breaks down two landmark November 2025 European rulings that went in opposite directions — and what they signal for the music you make.We cover: • Munich's GEMA v. OpenAI — the first major European ruling holding an AI developer liable for memorizing and reproducing song lyrics • London's Getty v. Stability AI — an AI-company win that turned on jurisdiction, not a broad blessing of AI training • Why the two systems split — and why Europe has no U.S.-style fair use • The EU AI Act's training-data disclosure rules and why they're a game-changer • My forecast for the GEMA v. Suno case and a widening transatlantic gap  This is general information, not legal advice.  CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome 01:30 Why borders matter for your rights 02:15 Munich: GEMA beats OpenAI 04:00 London: Getty vs. Stability 05:30 Why the two split 06:45 The EU AI Act game-changer 08:00 Predicting GEMA v. Suno 09:15 Takeaways + wrap Questions? Call 877-7-DEALMAKERS or email [email protected] All episodes: https://musicrowdealmakers.com YouTube @MUSICROWDEALMAKERS Our firm: https://ShrumDisney.com Subscribe for weekly music-business legal breakdowns #MusicLaw #AICopyright #MusicRowDealmakers #EntertainmentLaw #IntellectualProperty GEMA v OpenAI, AI copyright, AI music lawsuit, ChatGPT lyrics, EU copyright, Munich Regional Court, Getty v Stability, Stable Diffusion, EU AI Act, text and data mining, Suno lawsuit, GEMA v Suno, fair use, music law, entertainment law, copyright infringement, Barry Neil Shrum, Music Row Dealmakers, Gavel Drop, music publishing, songwriter rights, AI and music, transatlantic copyrightSupport the show

Send us Fan MailDealmaker Barry Neil Shrum address songwriters regarding the US Copyright Royalty Board's recent publication of a proposed settlement that would establish mechanical royalty rates for physical music, permanent downloads, ringtones, and music bundles in the United States from 2028 through 2032.  It leaves in place the existing rate structure through 2032, with annual adjustments in line with the CPI for inflation. The Board is now accepting comments and objections on the proposal, which are due by August 10, according to a notice in the Federal Register.Support the show

Send us Fan MailIn this special announcement, Dealmaker Barry Neil Shrum discusses the upcoming conversion to the YouTube Channel Music Row Dealmakers and the new video format.Support the show

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Music Row Dealmakers, hosts Barry Shrum and Dennis Disney discuss the Supreme Court’s seminal 1964 case of New York Times v. Sullivan, which established that a public figure must prove “actual malice” on the part of a publisher to win a defamation claim. Several conservative justices have signaled an interest in revisiting this standard. Barry and Dennis break down the basics of defamation law and debate whether the actual malice rule still holds up — or whether it’s due for reform.What You'll LearnThe origin and holding of New York Times v. Sullivan (1964)What "actual malice" means and why it matters for public figuresThe basics of defamation, libel, and slanderThe current debate among Supreme Court justices over reforming the standardAbout the HostsBarry Neil Shrum, Esq. – HostDennis Disney – Co-hostListen & SubscribeApple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusiciHeartRadioRSS FeedSupport the show — starting at $3/month.Support the show

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, the Music Row Dealmakers discuss the 18 Million Dollar verdict against their client, the defendant Ryan Upchurch, in the recent case in Middle District Court brought by Robertson and Rodni, relatives of Kylie Rodni.Support the show

Send us Fan MailThe Story of New York's Tin Pan Alley and its role in the evolution of music industry.   The Tin Pan Alley area of New York housed a collection of music publishers and songwriters located on West 28th Street in New York City, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues,  It became the birthplace of the modern music industry, where the concept of the song as a marketable product was developed and where many iconic American songs were written and published.  NOTE:  Our phone number has changed to 8777DEALMAKERS since this episode first aired on Aug 29, 2025.  Thank you for lisltening  Support the show

Send us Fan MailMusic Row Dealmakers Barry Neil Shrum and Dennis Disney hotly debate the 9-0 decision by the Supreme Court to overturn the 1 Billion Dollar copyright infringement verdict in Sony Music Entertainment v. Cox Communications, exploring the roots of the conflict and prior Supreme Court opinions, as well as of Betamax and Grokster, as well as the decisions implications on the Digital Millineum Copyright Act.Support the show

Send us Fan MailSam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, predicts that in the near future all "knowledge" -based careers - what he refers to as "bullshit" jobs - will be replaced by AI.  Recently, an AUSA in the Eastern District of North Carolina, was sanctioned for using AI in the drafting of his brief, where the "hallucinations" of AI created false citations and made up legal principles.  Needless to say, the judge was not happy.  Mr. Shrum discussed the impact of this case from a broader societal context as he introduces a new "sister" podcast to Music Row Dealmakers.Support the show

Send us Fan MailDealmakers Barry Neil Shrum, Esq. and Dennis Glenn Disney Esq. discuss the 9th Circuit's recent opinion in the Sedlik v. Kat Von D case involving Jeffery Sedlik's famous "Shh" photograph of Miles Davis, which Kat Von D tatooed on the arm of her friend.  In the 9th's opinion, there were two concurring opinions which bemoaned the application of the "intrinsic" component of the 9th Circuit's two party analysis, arguing that the objective standard should be abolished.  Support the show

Send us Fan MailMusic Row Dealmakers Barry Neil Shrum & Dennis Disney discuss the NO FAKES and the American Music Fairness bills that are currently sitting in committees in the Senate and the House. Support the show

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, co-host Barry Shrum looks at MRD's future plans for Music Row Dealmaker episodes, new features, and new related podcasts.Support the show

Send us Fan Mail In this of Music Row Dealmakers, from composing to closing - the first of Season 2 - your hosts Barry Shrum & Dennis Disney discuss whether certain terms of the traditional recording agreement are unconscionable.  The doctrine of unconscionability is a contract law doctrine that states that a contract can be considered invalid if it is "shocking or unfair" in its wording or application. They explore the definition of unconscionability and how it applies to recording contracts, particularly in terms of leverage and bargaining power between the artist and the label. They also discuss the options an artist has if they feel they are in an unfair position when signing a recording Support the show

Send us Fan MailFor the holidays, Music Row Dealmakers is rebroadcasting one of our most popular episodes on the Godfather of NIL, Mark Roesler, in which Dealmakers Barry Neil Shrum and Dennis Disney discuss how Roesler negotiated his way into representing the estate of James Dean & Marilyn.  They share their experience with deals involving this lesser-known personal and property right.Support the show

Send us Fan MailJudiciary Subcommittees consider New Legislation to Amend Copyright Act called the American Music Fairness Act.  Yesterday, December 9, 2025, none other than Kiss’ Gene Simmons testified in support of this legislation at a hearing entitled   "Balancing the Interests of Local Radio, Songwriters, and Performers in the Digital Age," conducted on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.Support the show

Send us Fan MailJoin us for the 12th episode of Music Row Dealmakers, where Barry and Dennis continue their exploration of the “Holy Grail” of the music industry, the exclusive songwriting agreement, examining some of the more controversial provisions of the traditional recording agreement and discussing how the paradigm shifts in the industry have affected their application. Support the show

Send us Fan MailIn Episode 11, Mr. Shrum and Mr. Disney discuss how cases like McGraw v. Curb and Williams v. Polygram shape the language of the recording agreement.Support the show

Send us Fan MailThe dealmakers discuss the importance of the contractual relationship between an artist and their personal manager.  Some of these relationships, such as Col. Tom Parker and Elvis Presley, can last longer than most marriages and often involve more complexities.  Barry and Dennis explore some of the most critical and impactful provisions of the personal management agreements, including the Key-Person provision and the Sunset Clause. Support the show

Send us Fan MailThe Music Row Dealmakers Barry Neil Shrum and Dennis Disney discuss how the godfather of “NIL” - the modern acronym for rights of publicity - negotiated his way into representing the estate of James Dean & Marilyn.  They share their experience with deals involving this lesser-known personal and property right.Support the show

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, the Dealmakers Barry Neil Shrum and Dennis Glenn Disney explore The Escapades of Iconic Dealmaker Frank Sinatra, a/k/a “The Chairman of the Board” of Reprise Records.   Sinatra garnered the title of "Chairman" when he established Reprise Records, which was later acquired by Warner Bros.  Support the show

Send us Fan MailIn the early 20th century, Sarnoff led RCA to the pinnacle of the radio industry, and later laid the technological foundations for the recording and television industries, ultimately forming entertainment icons such as RCA Victor, RKO and NBC.  His legal battles against Philo Farnsworth, the inventor the image-dissecting cathode ray tube, are legendary.Support the show

Send us Fan MailThe Story of New York's Tin Pan Alley and its role in the evolution of music industry.   The Tin Pan Alley area of New York housed a collection of music publishers and songwriters located on West 28th Street in New York City, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues,  It became the birthplace of the modern music industry, where the concept of the song as a marketable product was developed and where many iconic American songs were written and published.  Support the show

Send us Fan MailDealmakers Barry and Dennis explore CC. Pyles’ famous International Intercontinental Race, a/k/a “The Bunion Derby, and his creation of nationwide “on-the-spot” dealmaking, a precursor to the types of deals made in today's modern and complicated entertainment touring environment.Support the show

Send us Fan MailCharlie "Cash & Carry" Pyle trains his dealmaking skills on the world of professional tennis, entering a deal with 5x French Wimbledon champion Suzanne Lenglen, establishing the precursor to the ATP and WTA Tennis Tours of the 21st Century.Support the show

Send us Fan MailIn his book Cash and Carry: The Spectacular Rise and Hard Fall of C.C. Pyle, America’s First Sports Agent, biographer Jim Reisler described Pyle as a combination of “the talents of P.T. Barnum, Don King, Col. Tom Parker and Oral Roberts.”  In this episode of Music Row Dealmakers, from composing to closing, Shrum & Disney discuss Pyle's first successful deal with NFL Hall of Famer Red Grange.  Their successful collaboration generated more than $500,000 in endorsement and sponsorship deals, the present day equivalent of over $10M, and kicked off what is now known as the National Football League.  Support the show

Send us Fan MailOur first iconic dealmaker is Frank Dileo, who was Michael Jackson’s manager through the Thriller and Bay World years and executed some of the most iconic deals in the music business. Support the show

Send us Fan MailThis pilot episode answers the question "who are the dealmakers?"  In it, your co-hosts, Barry Neil Shrum and Dennis Glenn Disney - of Shrum Disney & Associates in Music City - explain the types of deals they’ve done over their 80 collective years in the business, in particular in the deals in the entertainment and music spaces.  They talk about their experience and why they wanted to share details of those deals with you, the listener, in this podcast.Support the show