An interesting report was published last week about the UK live comedy sector, based on a study undertaken last year by the Live Comedy Association and Brunel University. Here is my TW Explainer running through some of the key findings:

It feels like the VPNs of this world financially support pretty much every YouTuber and podcaster whose content I consume. But should they also be instigating some of those lovely web-blocks against piracy sites? That's the question. The VPNs say "no":

There are now three court hearings scheduled relating to the feuding between HYBE + its Ador subsidiary on the one side, + the label's founder Min Hee Jin + artist NewJeans on the other. I think I need to brush up on some South Korean contract law! Latest:

Given I put these two cables and two sets of headphones into my bag - separately and neatly - just as I was leaving Leyton this morning, it's quite impressive how tangled they'd become by the time I reached Borough 35 minutes later!

Don't forget, if you are a member of FAC, Ivors, MMF, MPG or MU, I'm delivering a Council Of Music Makers webinar later this month on metadata, transparency and streaming. Info and sign-up here:

We wrapped up our latest Pathways Into Music programme for music educators today with a webinar on music business trends and debates, covering the live sector, superfans and AI. We'll be announcing details about our next Educator Pathways programme very soon.

Normally I'm writing about challenges in the music community - but this week I spoke to Equity, Directors UK and the Writers' Guild to find out about the key challenges affecting performers, directors and writers working in theatre, film, TV + gaming:

I've often thought that the termination right under US copyright law hasn't been interpreted correctly in practice. But what do I know? Though, at least one US judge has reached the same conclusion. Publishers everywhere presumably disagree. CMU report:

It also provided some more information on where to draw the line between AI-generated and AI-assisted. Here's my CMU report on the Copyright Office's report:

It's somehow February already. This month I'll be speaking at the mighty MENT in Ljubljana once again and, for the first time, at the Inclusive Practice In Action event presented by Sound Connections in Shoreditch, which is exciting. Links and stuff here:

If you're a member of one of the five organisations that make up the Council Of Music Makers, I'm presenting this webinar for you on 25 Feb on metadata and transparency in streaming. You can sign up for free here:

While rushing between a meeting with the MMF Custodians and popping into the IPO to discuss progress on the transparency code I ran past this place. Slightly disappointed the powers that be still haven't implemented Andy Jensen's plan for tweaking Big Ben:

This kind of lawsuit, against a brand that used music on TikTok or Reels without a proper licence, is becoming quite common now: If anyone in brand-land wants to better understand how copyright works, I've got some great training courses I can recommend!

It also makes the licensing of music streaming services even more complicated – the next edition of the ‘Digital Dollar’ book just keeps getting longer! Here’s my CMU report on the new deal:

Back at Belfast City Airport grabbing something to eat after a very successful Pathways Into Music weekend. Thanks to everyone who joined us. No prizes for guessing which burger is Phil's and which burger is mine!

We made it through the storm to Belfast and now we're ready to kick off our latest Pathways Into Music weekend, for everyone involved in music education and music talent development in Northern Ireland. Looking forward to it!

Remember last year when I flew to Dublin right into the middle of Storm Ashley, resulting in a three hour delay and a rather bumpy landing, which the pilot managed to complete on second attempt? Well today I'm trying to fly to Belfast! So that'll be fun.

MENT published its full conference schedule earlier this week. Looking forward to returning to Ljubljana next month - in terms of official business, I'll be joining Scott Cohen for this session...