Primary Wave Acquires Stake in Styx Frontman Tommy Shaw’s Music Publishing Catalog and Master Artist Royalties

Primary Wave Music Publishing is acquiring a stake in Tommy Shaw’s music publishing catalog and master artist royalties. Shaw’s catalog includes several Styx hits such as “Renegade” “Fooling Yourself” and “Too Much Time On My Hands”, as well as solo projects and songs from his former groups Damn Yankees and Shaw Blades.

Jacqueline Charlesworth Quoted in Bloomberg News on ‘Stairway to Heaven’ Infringement Lawsuit

Jacqueline Charlesworth was recently quoted in Edvard Pettersson’s Bloomberg News article “‘Stairway to Heaven’ Judges Asked to Give Songwriters a Break.” The article details the growing epidemic of lawsuits claiming infringement of well-known songs. Jacqueline explained that there are “a lot of unsettled issues” in music copyright law, citing the “Stairway to Heaven” case as a prime example. “The Ninth Circuit recognized the significance of the ruling and the impact it had on the music industry,” says Jacqueline. “The industry doesn’t want artists and songwriters to live in fear of infringement lawsuits.”

Lisa Alter and Jacqueline Charlesworth Named to Billboard’s List of “Top Music Lawyers” 2019

Lisa Alter and Jacqueline Charlesworth have been selected for inclusion in Billboard’s 2019 “Top Music Lawyers” list. Each year, Billboard profiles the music business’ top legal minds, whose work in licensing, lobbying and litigating continues to move the industry forward. Lisa and Jacqueline were both recognized in the “Negotiation & Litigation” category.

Alter, Kendrick & Baron Partner Jacqueline Charlesworth files brief in Ninth Circuit fair use case.

AKB Partner Jacqueline C. Charlesworth’s filing of brief in Ninth Circuit fair use case, Dr. Seuss Enterprises LP v. ComicMix LLC et al., was mentioned in Dani Kass’ Law360 article, "Media Industry Slams 'Bungled' Seuss-Trek Mashup Ruling.”

Dave Navarro Strikes Publishing Deal With Primary Wave

Primary Wave Music Publishing has acquired a stake in singer-songwriter-guitarist Dave Navarro’s publishing catalog, master revenue streams and writer’s share royalties. Navarro is credited as a songwriter on such hit songs as Jane’s Addiction “Been Caught Stealing” and “Jane Says” as well as the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Aeroplane.” The worldwide publishing deal also includes a co-publishing agreement for Navarro’s future output.

Lisa Alter Speaks to Billboard, USA Today on Taylor Swift, Scooter Braun Dispute

Lisa Alter was featured in three Billboard articles and one USA Today piece on the public feud over Taylor Swift’s master recordings. In the articles, Lisa discusses the valuation of the Big Machine Records deal and whether or not Swift’s reaction will impact the music industry.

The full articles can be found below.

Boy George Aligns With Primary Wave to Help Recoup Culture Club Copyrights

Boy George and his Culture Club troupe are linking up with Primary Wave Music Publishing in a new multi-million-dollar deal. Under the agreement, Primary Wave will acquire a stake in the iconic '80s new wave band's music publishing and master recording income stream.

Lisa Alter Explains the Tangled Taylor Swift-Scooter Braun Drama to Elle

Lisa Alter was featured in Rose Minutaglio's Elle story “A Music Attorney Explains the Tangled Taylor Swift-Scooter Braun Drama.” In the article, Lisa discusses the feud that is brewing between Taylor Swift and Scooter Braun. The heart of the disagreement stems from Braun’s company, Ithaca Holding, purchasing Big Machine Records, which owns the rights to Swift’s first six records, for $300 million. Lisa explains, at length, everything from Swift’s angry Tumblr post to the viability of Swift re-obtaining her masters.

Primary Wave Acquires Stake In Whitney Houston’s Publishing, Master Recording Income Stream, Name, Likeness, And Brand

As part of a new deal with Whitney Houston’s Estate, Primary Wave Music Publishing has acquired a stake in the award-winning singer’s publishing, master recording income stream, name, likeness, and brand. Whitney Houston remains one of the best-selling music artists of all time with over 200 million records sold worldwide.

Why Is Twitter Banning Users for Jamming Elton John Songs? – Variety

The bone of contention remains that Twitter, and tech goliaths like YouTube and Facebook, don’t want to be held responsible for user content, insisting they’re not media sites but user platforms. That disagreement was addressed in the recently passed EU Copyright Directive’s Article 13, which decrees the sites must begin to police themselves, and will be held liable for any copyright infringements. The U.S. Music Modernization Act doesn’t go quite so far, but Lisa Alter comments that the establishment of a Music Licensing Collective is a step in the right direction.

Attorney Jacqueline C. Charlesworth Joins Music and Copyright Firm Alter Kendrick & Baron as Partner – Billboard

Esteemed music and copyright lawyer Jacqueline C. Charlesworth, key contributor to the Music Modernization Act and former general counsel of the Copyright Office, has joined our firm. In addition to legislative and policy work, Jacqueline will be handling litigation and transactional matters at AKB.

Indie Publisher Mojo Music Expands Catalog With HoriPro Acquisition

With its acquisition of Nashville-based HoriPro Entertainment Group, the Mojo Music & Media Group is having its coming out party as a new force in independent music publishing. The HoriPro catalog numbers 15,000 songs including tracks by REO Speedwagon, Kiss, Jerry Reed and George Strait.