It seems record labels learned nothing from the Napster era. Instead of investing in tech and developing their own AI models, they are resorting to intimidation to stifle innovation once again.

It seems record labels learned nothing from the Napster era. Instead of investing in tech and developing their own AI models, they are resorting to intimidation to stifle innovation once again.

https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/major-labels-plan-to-cost-suno-and-udio-billions-and-why-it-all-rests-on-michael-buble

did they really lose the napster era? sure, they lost some revenue up front, but they eventually corralled users and artists into streaming services/365 deals. now they have more even more control over their artists. they know ai is inevitable but will again hinder progress to ensure control in the future

It's a loss to me. The MP3 wouldn't have been set free the way it was if these guys respected technology. They also own the catalog we all listen to yet they let others get rich off of them (Apple, Spotify, YouTube, etc..) because they refuse to adapt until its too late. They try to hinder progress and it always backfires in the long run

look at these charts. the first is overall music industry revenue (which includes DSPs) and the second is just sony’s music division. both saw a dip during the file share era, but are now at ath. 

sure DSPs get a nice cut, as did distributors in the past. the difference is now smaller artists dont get paid.

Distributors in the past prob got less vs what DSPs take now, but my main point is that if record labels had embraced technology earlier, they could have developed their own streaming platforms and retained a larger share of revenue. Instead, they accepted deals like the one Steve Jobs offered with iTunes and later secured partial ownership in services like Spotify. With AI creating new content that they don't own, the leverage they once held with their old catalogs will continue to diminish.