The long-awaited return of XL/Columbia’s Adele is slated for 11/20, and is naturally expected to have a seismic impact on the remainder of the year. Expect the leadoff single to drop in the first or second week of November….

In a stunning reversal, a federal judge ruled that all copyright claims against “Happy Birthday” are invalid and declaring that the song is in the public domainand free to use. Its a huge loss for Warner Chappell Music who bought the rights in 1988, but its a big win for enterprising musicians….

The major record companies have agreed a new deal with a powerful artist body in the US, whose members will now receive more benefits – and very possibly more cash – from label streaming royalties….

Spotify has mounted a strong defence of the commercial potential of its freemium tier, through a new Europe-wide study conducted by global market research firm TNS….

Spotify has released the results of a study it is calling “The New Audio,” commissioned from market research company TNS, analyzing how the company’s free-listening tier stacks up to traditional broadcast radio in terms of demographics, engagement and whether Spotify can deliver to brands listeners that traditional radio can’t….

Diddy sold enough Ciroc vodka and Sean John clothing in the past year to become the world’s highest-paid rap act, according to Forbes’ annual Hip-Hop Cash Kings list. The mogul earned $60 million — not from touring or releasing albums (he hasn’t since 2010), but from his various business interests, which also include the TV network Revolt and…

It is a transformative period for the music industry. Unlike any other time in history, new technologies have enabled nearly limitless connections between listeners and the music they love. We know this is so because at Pandora, making those connections is our business and our passion….

More than eight years after the viral success of the YouTube clip “Charlie Bit My Finger,” the most-viewed uploads on the platform are now dominated by artists’ official music videos….

Did indie label licensor Merlin hand Pandora a big win that could mean lower payments to artists and labels?…

Although Apple Music may bill itself as a one stop shop for all things music related, combining streaming, radio and social networking into one, SoundCloud remains a more universally accessible and, more importantly, free option for both fans and musicians….