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Nike Music Exec Charged With Stealing $1M From Company in ‘Orchestrated Kickback Scheme’
Former Nike music supervisor John Griffith has been charged with allegedly taking more than $1 million from the company through a kickback scheme involving music-licensing fees. The case highlights the financial control risks around advertising music rights, where supervisors can influence costly and complex licensing arrangements. Prosecutors allege that between June 2020 and December 2022,…
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Sega Won’t Ditch Physical Media, But Says Digital Expansion Is Vital
Sega has said it does not intend to abandon physical games, while stressing that expanding its digital business is essential. The position is significant because it offers support for boxed releases amid growing concern over the industry’s move towards download-only games, particularly following Sony’s decision to end PlayStation disc production. Sega president Shuji Utsumi said…
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Sam Altman’s biometric startup World raises $52.5 million via crypto sale
World, the biometric identity startup co-founded by OpenAI’s Sam Altman, has raised $52.5 million by selling its WLD cryptocurrency token to strategic investors under a 12-month lock-up. The funding matters because it supports World’s attempt to build widely used online “proof of human” verification as AI-generated content and automated accounts become more prevalent. The funds…
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As GEMA awaits its Suno copyright verdict, the German collecting society launches ‘PLAI’ – a fully licensed dataset for training AI music tools
German collecting society GEMA has launched PLAI, a copyright-cleared music dataset intended to give AI developers a single licensed source for training data. Its launch matters because it offers an alternative to disputed use of copyrighted music in AI development, while GEMA awaits a court decision in its case against music generator Suno. PLAI combines…
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‘Game of Thrones’ Play ‘The Mad King’ Still Set to Open Next Month Despite Canceling Previews (EXCLUSIVE)
The Royal Shakespeare Company has cancelled the first week of preview performances for “Game of Thrones: The Mad King”, but says the production remains on course to open officially on 8 August. The decision highlights the scale and complexity of the new stage adaptation, with the company saying extra time is needed for the cast…
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‘Wicked’ Film Screening With Live Orchestra Announced: ‘Coming Soon’
Universal Studios has announced a forthcoming ‘Wicked in Concert’ experience, pairing screenings of the two-part film adaptation with a live orchestra. The announcement offers no dates, venues or ticketing information, but signals an effort to extend the franchise beyond the films’ theatrical run. The promotional poster features stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, and the…
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Silicon Valley Is Completely Divided Over Chinese AI
Silicon Valley is divided over whether the US should restrict Chinese-made open-weight AI models, which are spreading rapidly and can rival leading American systems. The dispute matters because it pits national-security and intellectual-property concerns against startups’ reliance on affordable, adaptable AI tools, while potentially strengthening the market power of major US labs. Anthropic has accused…
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Musk on his involvement in politics: ‘I got carried away’
Elon Musk said he became too involved in politics and “got carried away” during his work with President Donald Trump’s administration. His remarks amount to a partial expression of regret over his role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which pursued wide-ranging cuts to federal spending and staffing. The issue matters because DOGE’s actions…
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StubHub CEO faces questions from House Democrats over his stake in a hedge fund reselling tickets on his own marketplace
House Democrats have asked StubHub chief executive Eric Baker to explain his ownership stake in Andro Capital, a hedge fund that resells tickets through StubHub. Ranking Member Robert Garcia says the arrangement may represent a conflict of interest and could have disadvantaged consumers and smaller sellers; the allegations have not been proven. The request follows…
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Move Concerts CEO Phil Rodriguez: ‘I’m bullish about our business. Music and sports are the last tribal experiences.’
Move Concerts chief executive Phil Rodriguez says Latin America has become a major force in global touring, after decades on its margins, and remains confident about the sector’s prospects. He argues that live music and sport retain a rare ability to create shared, tribal experiences, while his company expands its stadium-focused touring and develops Latin…