News - 16/03/2016

Apple Music beats SoundCloud as first on-demand service to feature previously unlicensed DJ mixes and remixes

Apple Music beats SoundCloud as first on-demand service to feature previously unlicensed DJ mixes and remixes

The world of unlicensed DJ mixes and remixes is complex, and making them available as part of an on-demand streaming service so that everyone that needs to get paid gets paid has been a notoriously difficult nut to crack. 

SoundCloud was expected to be the first service to offer this kind of experience when it launches its subscription service later this year, creating a YouTube-like content ID functionality that could tag the use of tracks within DJ mixes and remixes and then divert the revenues generated to the relevant rights holders. 

Now, Apple has taken an early lead in this space by partnering with Dubset Media, a company that has been (quietly) focusing on creating tools to identify the copyrights of mixes and remixes and ensuring the use falls within the licensing parameters set by the copyright holder, and making sure it has the necessary deals in place to obtain the correct metadata and ensure that the payments are processed smoothly (here a 2014 interview with Dubset's previous CEO explaining the company's goals).

Dubset CEO Stephen White stated: "Until now the major music services could not offer DJ mixes and unofficial remix content on their services. Although DJs were able to sample tracks during live performances, they were not allowed to legally distribute the recordings. Most of this content has lived in the shadows of unlicensed pirate distribution channels with neither the original artist, composer, nor the DJ getting compensated for their creative work.  We are thrilled to make this amazing new content available on Apple Music, as it will only enhance the listener experience on one of the largest music distribution platforms in the world."

Dubset is a relatively small company, and it will be interesting to see whether - if this integration goes well - Apple will aim to acquire it and ensure that other streaming services can’t replicate the functionality. 

World-famous DJ Tiesto, who is also a Dubset ambassador, stated that "Dance music fans are the biggest winners here because they will now have access to great remixes on the same platform that they listen to our original tracks."

 

(Andrea Leonelli) 

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