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Pex, the market leader in digital rights technology, is announcing a $57m investment round. The round was joined by existing investors with additional participation from Tencent, Tencent Music Entertainment, the CueBall Group, NexGen Ventures Partners, Amaranthine, and others.

The investment will help scale Pex’s Attribution Engine (AE), the licensing infrastructure for a better Internet. AE creates a single marketplace for digital content, transforming how creators, rightsholders, and platforms do business together by enabling fair compensation and increased access to copyrighted content. It stands to break the bottleneck of online content licensing once and for all.

“Attribution is vital to the Internet; it can help protect copyright without stifling creation,” says Pex founder and CEO Rasty Turek. “AE sets new standards in speed and scale and is the first platform capable of meeting today's content growth and demands. It replaces unreliable upload filters and takedown requests with real-time use authorization and licensing, benefiting creators while recognizing and compensating those whose works are sampled and shared.”

Governments across the world are moving to put legislation in place to address the growing imbalance between social media behemoths and artists who aren’t getting their fair share. Most notably, the EU’s Copyright Directive and its Article 17 set forth decisive, market-shifting legislation with global impact to address the value disparity in a meaningful way. “We live in a world where everyone is creating, mixing and remixing copyrighted works. But the ability to rapidly identify, attribute, and license them in real-time is the missing link to address the value-gap. Instead of fearing regulations, or finding loopholes to make them toothless, what if we relied on a better infrastructure for today’s Internet?” asks Pex COO Amadea Choplin. “If we could seamlessly compensate artists – if we could enable a culture of fair and universal attribution – then we could set the stage for a truly free and open Internet.”
 
“The solution to this puzzle lies not with litigation, legislation, or innovation alone, but with the combined strength of sound law, breakthrough technology, and durable social norms. In short, we need a leap forward in trust,” Choplin explains.
 
Pex has spent seven years breaking new ground and pushing technologies to new limits. "My vision has always been to deliver a set of technologies that brought transparency, accuracy, and most importantly trust to digital rights and content” notes Turek. “I feel Pex has now accomplished that and with this round of funding we are well positioned for what lies ahead."

07 Feb 2025 | Press release

Downtown Music Publishing Extends Partnership with Tori Amos Amid Raft of Renewals

Downtown Music Publishing Build on Success with Expanded Partnerships Worldwide, including Tori Amos, Tim Kellett, Remi Kabaka, Les Claypool and the heirs of George Gershwin Downtown Music Publishing announces a raft of expansions and renewals - including a renewed partnership with...more

07 Feb 2025 | Press release

Warner Music Group and Spotify Announce New Multi-Year Agreement to Fuel Growth and Innovation

Spotify and Warner Music Group (NASDAQ: WMG) today announced a new, multi-year agreement, which covers both Recorded Music and Music Publishing. Through the deal, the two companies strengthen their joint commitment to artists, songwriters, and fans, as well as the...more

07 Feb 2025 | Press release

Teddy Swims signs with Peermusic Neighbouring Rights

Peermusic, the world’s largest global independent music publishing and neighbouring rights company with 39 offices in 32 countries and 200+ employees worldwide, has signed Teddy Swims to collect worldwide (ex-U.S.) for his neighbouring rights, as announced today by Mary Megan Peer, CEO, Peermusic.   From...more

07 Feb 2025 | Press release

Coca-Cola and KOKO join forces to deliver an unparalleled 360-degree platform, amplifying emerging artists to a global stage

A new, class-leading Coca-Cola Recording Studio backstage at KOKO enables artists to create, record and perform, all in one building   A new Coca-Cola Box in the iconic KOKO theatre will provide music fans exclusive access to live performances from their favourite...more

07 Feb 2025 | Press release

The Record Store Day 2025 list has landed!

  A bumper year of exclusives and limited editions to support the UK’s independent record shops  Oasis joins this year’s Record Store Day lineup with Time Flies…(1994-2009), reissued on vinyl for the first time since 2010, just ahead of Oasis Live ’25!  Taylor Swift...more

07 Feb 2025 | Press release

Tickets for Good expands into Europe, partners with ie:Music for Robbie Williams 2025 tour

Tickets for Good (TfG), a mission-based company offering affordable event tickets to healthcare workers, teachers, charity staff and other people facing economic barriers to access, has expanded into the Netherlands following successful launches in the UK and US.  Companies supporting the launch include Greenhouse Talent, ID&T,...more

07 Feb 2025 | Press release

Warner Music Group acquires controlling stake in Tempo Music

Catalog includes rights in songs recorded by Bruno Mars, Twenty One Pilots, Adele, Wiz Khalifa, Florida Georgia Line, and Lukas Graham Providence Equity Partners to Remain a Minority Investor Warner Music Group Corp. ("Warner Music Group" or "WMG") today announced that it...more

07 Feb 2025 | Press release

Jane Dyball appointed Chair of PRS Foundation and newly elected Trustees announced

  Jane Dyball appointed PRS Foundation’s Chair of the Board of Trustees Newly elected Trustees Brahim Ait Ben Larbi, Jonathan Jackson and Grace Goodwin also announced   The award-winning UK charitable funder of new music, PRS Foundation – which is celebrating 25 years of investing in...more

07 Feb 2025 | Press release

Dina LaPolt, Entertainment Attorney, Activist and Industry Trailblazer, Breaks New Ground with the Launch of LaPolt Media

Pre-Order Now Available for LaPolt's Upcoming Book (October 7) and Podcast Launch (Spring 2025)   Dina LaPolt, the powerhouse attorney, advocate, and founder of LaPolt Law, has announced the launch of her newest venture, LaPolt Media. This new endeavor will focus on...more

06 Feb 2025 | Press release

Fallow Festival Fund launched at Festival Congress

AIF and Citizen Ticket partner to support struggling festivals. Call issued for financial or service donations to help events return. The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) and Citizen Ticket have partnered to create the Fallow Festival Fund, a new package to support...more

06 Feb 2025 | Press release

AIF calls for CMS Select Committee inquiry into UK festivals

Rallying cry issued to festivals promoters, freelancers and suppliers at 2025 Festival Congress. Campaign for inquiry backed by NOQ Group. 78 UK festivals fell in 2024, with 5 having already cancelled this year. The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) has called for the...more

06 Feb 2025 | Press release

Bucks signs CLAVIS 7EVEN to worldwide deal

Bucks Music Group has signed rapper, singer/songwriter, instrumentalist and producer CLAVIS 7EVEN to an exclusive worldwide music publishing deal. Born in Congo and raised in Wolverhampton, CLAVIS 7EVEN has been dubbed one of the most compelling voices in the new wave...more

06 Feb 2025 | Press release

Audiomovers launches 'Unsung' podcast series celebrating the hidden heroes of music creation

THE PODCAST’S FIRST EPISODE FEATURING UK PRODUCER AND CENTRAL CEE COLLABORATOR EIGHT8 IS OUT NOW -LISTEN HERE    Audiomovers, innovators in pro audio collaboration tools, proudly announce the launch of their new podcast series, Unsung. This compelling series explores the untold stories...more

06 Feb 2025 | Press release

NTIA Electronic Music Report Highlights £2.4 Billion Contribution to UK Economy and Calls for Government Recognition

NTIA Calls for the Department for Culture to Recognise the Value of Electronic Music, As 2025 Electronic Music Report Highlights £2.4 Billion Contribution to UK Economy The third annual UK Electronic Music Industry Report details the genre's vast value, potential, and...more

06 Feb 2025 | Press release

Warner Chappell Music Signs Global Administration Deal with Luke Steele

Warner Chappell Music (WCM) has signed an exclusive worldwide administration deal with singer/songwriter Luke Steele from the multi-platinum Australian electronic group Empire of the Sun. The duo has earned a number of accolades, including eight ARIA Awards, two APRA Awards, and...more

06 Feb 2025 | Press release

BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 6 Music delight listeners whilst new streams, music mixes and US election drive record plays on BBC Sounds in Q4 2024

New figures across BBC Radio and BBC Sounds show how listeners consumed the BBC’s audio content in the final quarter of 2024, both live and on demand.   During a quarter of significant change in the audio industry, BBC Radio 2 and...more

06 Feb 2025 | Press release

UK's award-winning Future Art and Culture team up with Ristband for groundbreaking live music and mixed reality showcase at South by Southwest

Other Future Art and Culture world premieres include major collaborations focused on the cosmos and national identity Panel events explore the use of tech, VR, XR and AI to benefit disabled people and to improve mental health and wellbeing Award-winning individuals and...more

06 Feb 2025 | Press release

TuneCore Accelerator Report 3.0 Showcases Breakthrough Artist Success

TuneCore, the leading independent development partner for self-releasing artists—owned by Believe, one of the world’s leading digital music companies—has released the third edition of the TuneCore Accelerator Report, highlighting increased utilization of the TuneCore Accelerator platform and the substantial streaming...more

06 Feb 2025 | Press release

Live Music: new survey to investigate racial bias in licensing of music events in London

"This survey is a crucial step in driving real change in live music licensing. Through Project REMEL, we are uncovering the systemic barriers in licensing that Black and Asian artists, promoters, and venue owners have faced for too long. Barriers...more

06 Feb 2025 | Press release

Ace Records celebrates 50th anniversary and appoints Liz Buckley as Head of A&R

Ace Records − the longest running independent record label in the UK − will be celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.   Building further on five decades of a deep passion for and devotion to catalogue exploration and crate-digging culture, Ace Records'...more

06 Feb 2025 | Press release

AI Rights Management Platform Musical AI Raises $2.1 Million CAD Investment

  Musical AI, the rights management platform for generative AI, has raised initial investment to support music's first attribution model. The $2.1 mil Canadian investment is led by Build Ventures, one of Canada's largest VC firms investing in startups. Select angel...more

06 Feb 2025 | Press release

The Marley family, UMe, and Island Records announce yearlong 80th birthday commemorative plans for Bob Marley

MARLEY 80 KICKS OFF FEBRUARY 6 WITH AN ‘UPRISING’ TRIBUTE CONCERT LIVESTREAM FROM THE TUFF GONG STUDIOS IN KINGSTON, JAMAICA, HONORING THE GONG’S LEGACY – WATCH HERE   PLUS, THE PREMIERE OF A NEW “BOB MARLEY AND I” SHORTS SERIES – TUNE IN TO THE FIRST...more

06 Feb 2025 | Press release

Disney Music Publishing signs RABO

  Norwegian artist and songwriter Live Rabo Lund-Roland has made history as the first songwriter based outside North America to sign with Disney Music Publishing. This partnership underscores Disney’s strategic commitment to discovering and elevating international talent. As Disney Music Publishing has expanded their reach...more

06 Feb 2025 | Press release

All the World's a Karaoke Room: How Singa Expands Karaoke to Every Screen, with the Planet's Biggest Song Selection

  Karaoke will never be the same. The social entertainment option loved by so many around the world is getting a serious upgrade, thanks to Singa (singa.com). The app is taking the singalong format beyond its soundalike past into a better sounding,...more

05 Feb 2025 | Press release

Ezra Collective, Mogwai and Kae Tempest to headline the BBC Radio 6 Music Festival 2025

  Today on BBC Radio 6 Music, the UK’s biggest digital-only radio station with 2.7 million listeners (Rajar Q3, 2024), Nemone (sitting in for Lauren Laverne) announced the line-up and venues for the 6 Music Festival 2025. The event is the station’s flagship annual...more

05 Feb 2025 | Press release

NMPA announces extensive podcast takedown action against Spotify

Notices contain over 2,500 detections of infringement on behalf of 19 NMPA publisher members The National Music Publishers' Association (NMPA) today announced the launch of an ongoing takedown initiative against Spotify for the unlicensed use of music in podcasts on its...more

05 Feb 2025 | Press release

Music fans invited to shape the future of live music in the UK

The first-ever Music Fans' Voice survey is now live, giving gig-goers a direct say in shaping the future of live music in the UK.  Music is nothing without the fans and this survey will give audiences a chance to have their...more

05 Feb 2025 | Press release

Angry Mob Music Group Announces New 2025 Admin Deals

Signed Artists Include Aiko, Alto Moon, Jacob Sigman, MashBit, and Nicole Chambers   Angry Mob Music Group, an independent music publisher boldly serving songwriters, composers, artists, and creatives, has announced the signing of multiple admin deals with artists Aiko, Alto Moon, Jacob Sigman,...more

05 Feb 2025 | Press release

Warner Music Group and Audiomack expand licensing deal, unlocking WMG catalog in more countries

Warner Music Group (Nasdaq: WMG), the global music entertainment company, and Audiomack, the music streaming and discovery platform, today announced an expanded licensing agreement covering 47 new countries. The partnership, which began in 2019 and was Audiomack's first licensing deal with...more

05 Feb 2025 | Press release

The Rhythm Studio Foundation Secures Funding Support from The Ed Sheeran Foundation

Vital support for the Primary Schools Workshop Programme will help expand access to music education for 1,800 children in some of West London's most disadvantaged areas.   The Rhythm Studio Foundation, a West London music charity committed to enriching young lives through...more

07 Feb 2025

  • Warner Music Group: Spotify and Tempo deals, plus financial results (see Business)

  • A look at Spotify's future growth (see Analysis)

06 Feb 2025

  • Are songs reaching one billion streams faster than ever? (see Analysis)

05 Feb 2025

  • Spotify reports first annual profit, subscriber numbers surge (see Business)

04 Feb 2025

  • Lucian Grainge: "Streaming 2.0 era has arrived" (see News)

03 Feb 2025

  • How two strangers turned around Warner (see Features)

  • All the Grammy winners and news (see News)

31 Jan 2025

  • The unflattening of music (see Comment)

  • Tributes to Marianne Faithfull, who died yesterday (see Features)

30 Jan 2025

  • MLC Spotify lawsuit dismissed, bundled royalties unchanged (see News)

  • Featured Artists Coalition announces UK Artist Touring Fund (see News)

29 Jan 2025

  • Universal’s acquisition of Downtown Music Group - further thoughts (see Comment)

  • Spotify paid out $10bn to the music industry in 2024 (see Reports)

28 Jan 2025

  • Spotify’s music team reveals its Artists To Watch in 2025 (see Digital)

  • How Yungblud is building a $100m business (see Features)

27 Jan 2025

  • Universal Music Group and Spotify strike new multi-year agreement (see News)