Songtradr acquires Bandcamp (Complete Music Update)
US-based music licensing marketplace Songtradr yesterday announced that it is acquiring direct-to-fan platform Bandcamp from Fortnite maker Epic Games.
The news comes as Epic - still engaged in its legal battle with Apple over the so-called "Apple tax" - also announced that it is laying off 16% of its workforce, around 870 people, and divesting itself of SuperAwesome, a "youth marketing solutions" company that offers a range of advertising marketplaces and solutions targeting young audiences.
Epic bought Bandcamp in March last year. Despite much discussion at the time as to how the gaming company saw its new acquisition fitting into its wider business, Bandcamp seemed to continue to operate pretty autonomously. As for its new owner, Bandcamp seems a natural fit for Songtradr's suite of music licensing, data and delivery platforms.
There are obvious and immediate ways that Songtradr can leverage the Bandcamp brand, catalogue and relationships with a huge number of artists to deliver value - whilst also being able to offer a number of clear commercial opportunities to the Bandcamp creator community.
"The acquisition of Bandcamp will help Songtradr continue to grow its suite of services for artists. I'm a passionate musician myself, and artistry and creativity have always been at the heart of Songtradr. Bandcamp will join a team of music industry veterans and artists who have deep expertise in music licensing, composition, rights management, and distribution", says Paul Wiltshire, Songtradr's CEO.
"Songtradr shares Epic and Bandcamp's values around ensuring artists are fairly compensated for their work", adds Steve Allison, VP and General Manager, Store at Epic Games. "Bringing Bandcamp to Songtradr will make it easier for independent artists to connect with creators and developers looking to license their music and enable Epic to focus on its core metaverse, games, and tools efforts".
Fortnite maker takes Apple battle to US Supreme Court (Complete Music Update)
Fortnite maker Epic Games has asked the US Supreme Court to review its legal battle with Apple.
Epic objects to Apple's App Store rules that force app-makers to use the tech giant's commission charging transactions system when taking in-app payments on iOS devices. Another rule, often called the anti-steering provision, stops companies from sign-posting other payment options online from within their apps.
Plenty of app-makers, including Spotify, have complained about the Apple rules. Spotify has urged law-makers to intervene and force a change to Apple's policies. Meanwhile, Epic filed lawsuits in multiple countries, accusing Apple of anti-competitive conduct.
The highest profile legal case was in California where the judge concluded that Apple's App Store rules do not violate US-wide federal competition law. Although, she also said that the anti-steering provision did contravene unfair competition law in California.
As a result, neither Epic nor Apple were happy with the judgement, and both appealed to the Ninth Circuit Appeals Court, which pretty much upheld the lower court's ruling.
Hence why Epic has now taken the case to the Supreme Court. Apple is also expected to file an appeal with the top court later.
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