Riddhi Setty quotes Chris in coverage on the Copyright Royalty Board’s rejection of proposal to extend the frozen mechanical royalty rate for Subpart B configurations.

January 11, 2022

Red State

Inside Big Tech's Stealthy Effort to Use Judicial Activism to Gut Copyright Protections

Jennifer Van Laar cites to Chris in her investigative reporting on the American Law Institute’s faux “Restatement of Copyright”.

December 7, 2021

Los Angeles Times

Comedians Wanted Spotify to Pay Them More Royalties: Their Albums Were Removed

Ryan Faughnder quotes Chris for reporting on Spotify’s dispute with Spoken Giants over fair compensation to comedians for Spotify’s exploitation of their recordings.

August 11, 2021

Bloomberg Law

Samantha Handler quotes Chris in Bloomberg’s coverage of Phonorecords III remand to Copyright Royalty Board.

June 7, 2021

The Guardian

Rolling Stones, Tom Jones and more join campaign for law change on streaming

Leading UK artists quote the WIPO study co-written by Chris in their letter to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson asking for streaming remuneration.

March 22, 2021

The American Prospect

Islands in the Stream

David Dayan quotes Chris extensively in his deep dive into the impact of streaming on artists and musicians.

January 19, 2021

The Baffler

Streamlining the Streaming Regime

Sam Backer quotes Chris in long post about conflicts of interest in the Mechanical Licensing Collective and the Music Modernization Act.

January 11, 2021

Music Business Worldwide

SPOTIFY, WORTH $67BN, HAS SEEN ITS SHARE PRICE TRIPLE IN 10 MONTHS. SHOULD DANIEL EK PAY ARTISTS A ‘BONUS’ TO SAY THANK YOU?

Tim Ingham quotes Chris extensively in post about the rise of Spotify’s share price compared to minimal artist and songwriter royalties paid.

August 28, 2020

Morning Consult

The Supreme Court Should See Through Google’s Industrial Strength Fair Use Charade

Chris’s op-ed in Morning Consult about the Google v. Oracle appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

May 13, 2020

MusicAlly

What are user-centric music streaming royalties? Start here…

Stuart Dredge quotes Chris’s “Ethical Pool” articles in an overview of solutions to the streaming royalties problem.

October 16, 2019

Games Industry

How does the games industry solve its problem with music licensing?

Mat Ombler quotes Chris on how to avoid pitfalls of music rights and artist clearances for videogames.

August 26, 2019

Creative Industries Newsletter

Eminem's publisher sues Spotify for infringement

Music Week’s US correspondent Emmanuel Legrand quotes Chris regarding the Eight Mile Style litigation against Spotify.

August 5, 2019

Variety

PledgeMusic Moves Toward Liquidation: What Artists Who Are Owed Money Can Do

Jem Aswad interviews Chris on PledgeMusic liquidation filing in the UK.

July 31, 2019

MusicAlly

PledgeMusic set for winding-up hearing in London today

Stuart Dredge quotes Chris in coverage of PledgeMusic crowdfunding debacle.

May 3, 2019

Future of What Podcast

Article 13’s Potential Impact on the Music Industry

MusicBiz Association President Portia Sabin interviews Chris about how the European Copyright Directive may affect the U.S. music industry

January 29, 2019

Billboard

PledgeMusic Co-Founder Benji Rogers Returning to Company Temporarily, as Artists Jump Ship Over Late Payments

Billboard writer Colin Stutz quotes Chris on the crisis at PledgeMusic.

October 9, 2018

MusicAlly

‘Ethical Pool’ idea could let fans choose user-centric royalties

Guardian columnist Stuart Dredge features Chris’s “Ethical Pool” business model on the MusicAlly industry site, linking to Chris’s MusicTech.Solutions blog.

June 28, 2018

New York Times

New Way to Pay Songwriters and Musicians in the Streaming Age Advances

Ben Sisario quotes Chris on the failure of the Music Modernization Act to provide secure funding for the music rights database, a centerpiece of the bill.

May 23, 2018

Hypebot

Court Approves $43.4 M Spotify Artist's Compensation Fund Settling Class Action Lawsuit

Bruce Houghton quotes Chris on the Spotify settlement and the interaction of the Music Modernization Act's litigation safe harbor.

April 23, 2018

Washington Communications Daily (Subscription)

Karl Herchenroeder quotes Chris about the chances of the Music Modernization Act passing the Senate.

January 24, 2018

Variety

With 70 Million Subscribers and a Risky IPO Strategy, Is Spotify Too Big to Fail?

Jem Aswad quotes Chris on Spotify's royalty problems.

September 16, 2017

Future of What Podcast

Transparency in Music Licensing and Ownership Act

Portia Sabin interviews Chris about the MIC Coalition's proposed Transparency in Music Licensing and Ownership Act on the Future of What podcast.

August 1, 2017

Music Week Creative Industries Newsletter (Subscription)

"New Legislative Initiatives Address Key US Copyright Issues"

Music Week US Editor Emmanuel Legrand quotes Chris on the Transparency in Music Licensing and Ownership Act ("an 11th Century solution to a 21st Century problem")

July 24, 2017

Communications Daily (Subscription)

"House Bills Addressing Music Industry Copyright, Royalty Issues Get Mixed Reviews"

Dibya Sarkar quotes Chris on the introduction of the CLASSICS Act and the Transparency in Music Licensing and Ownership Act.

June 13, 2017

The MusicAlly Bulletin (subscription)

"Lawyer Chris Castle on the 'core flaw of blockchain'"

MusicAlly quotes Chris on the problems with blockchain applications in the music industry.

May 31, 2017

Bloomberg Law's BNA Patent Trademark & Copyright Journal (Subscription)

Spotify Agrees to Pay $43M to Settle Class Action Claims by Songwriters

Chris is quoted by Bloomberg's Anandashankar Mazumdar in coverage of Spotify's landmark settlement with songwriters over Spotify's infringing.

March 23, 2017

The Register

As ad boycott picks up pace, Google knows it doesn't have to worry

Andrew Orlowski quotes Chris in coverage of major advertisers boycotting YouTube over ads served on YouTube terror videos.

October 17, 2016

Music Week

US elections: Music industry executives outline their copyright wish list

Emmanuel Legrand quotes Chris and other music executives on what changes to copyright policy they would like to see in the next U.S. presidential administration.

August 8, 2016

MusicAlly

US Publishing Industry in Uproar over Department of Justice Licensing Plans

Stuart Dredge quotes Chris on controversial DOJ statement on 100% licensing and partial withdrawals.

May 16, 2016

MusicAlly

Spotify at 10: The Challenging Road Ahead

Stuart Dredge quotes Chris on potential Spotify IPO.

March 31, 2016

Musonomics: Songwriters, Consent and the Age of Discontent

Chris is interviewed about the ASCAP and BMI consent decrees by Larry Miller for the NYU Steinhardt Music Business Program's "Musonomics" podcast.

February 16, 2016

MusicAlly

Spotify Seeks to Strike David Lowery Class Action Lawsuit

Stuart Dredge quotes Chris on Spotify reply to Lowery class action.

September 9, 2015

Washington Internet Daily (Subscription)

Copyright Office Systems Outage Highlights Need for Reforms, Stakeholders Say

Chris is quoted on the reorganization of the U.S. Copyright Office.

August 28, 2015

Washington Internet Daily (Subscription)

Music Industry Working to Reach Licensing Database Consensus, Stakeholders Say

Jimm Phillips quotes Chris in story on Crunch Digital and database issues before Congress.

July 23, 2015

Music Business Worldwide

Google loves Spotify, which is hurting Apple, which is in a war for global domination against… Google. And people say music’s lost its value.

Tim Ingham quotes Chris on the Google and Spotify strategy against Apple.

June 22, 1015

The Register

Even Apple doesn’t mess with Taylor Swift

Andrew Orlowski quotes Chris on Taylor Swift and Apple Music.

June 12, 2015

National Public Radio

Apple's New Music Streaming Service Under Antitrust Scrutiny

Laura Sydell quotes Chris in her reporting on the antitrust investigations into Apple Music.

April 13, 2015

Washington Internet Daily (subscription)

Nadler Bowing Fair Play Fair Pay Act

Chris is quoted by Jimm Phillips on Fair Play Fair Pay Act introduced by Reps. Jerry Nadler and Marsha Blackburn.

March 10, 2015

Washington Internet Daily (subscription)

Senate Judiciary Antitrust Hearing to Highlight Divide Between Music Publishers and Broadcasters

Chris is quoted in advance coverage of Senate hearing on viability of ASCAP and BMI consent decrees.

March 6, 2015

The Register

Google wins fight to keep Adwords FBI drug sting docs secret

The Register quotes Chris in its coverage of Google's attempts to silent state attorneys general investigating Google's violations of state drugs laws.

February 9, 2015

Los Angeles Times

BMI-Pandora trial centers on licensing fees paid for music streaming

Dean Starkman and Ryan Faughnder quote Chris about the issues in the BMI-Pandora rate court.

February 5, 2015

U.S. Copyright Office Music Licensing Study

Chris's filed comments are quoted by the U.S. Copyright Office on several issues of copyright policy.

February 5, 2015

Washington Internet Daily (subscription)

Joe McKnight quotes Chris on the U.S. Copyright Office Music Licensing Study.

January 30, 2015

Washington Internet Daily (subscription)

Internet Association Moves to Influence Copyright and Trade Debates on Capitol Hill

Joe McKnight quotes Chris on YouTube's distribution of jihadi recruiting videos.

December 24, 2014

Washington Internet Daily (subscription)

Joe McKnight quotes Chris on Google's outsized lobbying influence.

November 19, 2014

East Bay Express

The Tyranny of Free

Chris is quoted by Sam Lefebvre on Pandora's history on webcasting rates.

November 13, 2014

New York Post

YouTube to launch paid music subscription service

Chris is quoted by Claire Atkinson on YouTube's data honeypot.

November 11, 2014

The Register

What kind of generation doesn't stick it to the Man, but to Taylor Swift instead?

Team Register quotes Chris's interview with David Lowery on Taylor Swift's withdrawal from Spotify.

November 7, 2014

Los Angeles Times

Bono: Don't Blame Spotify

Russ Mitchell quotes Chris on Taylor Swift withdrawal from Spotify: "Spotify needs hits and hits don't need Spotify. It's as simple as that."

November 6, 2014

Washington Internet Daily (subscription)

Coble Endorses Marino as Next IP Subcommittee Chair

Chris is quoted by Joe McKnight on impact of midterm elections on copyright reform legislation.

October 14, 2014

Complete Music Update

Spotify meets face-to-face with vocal artist critics Stateside

Chris Cooke quotes Chris regarding blowback on Spotify at artist meetings.

October 13, 2014

Billboard

Spotify's Artist Outreach Leaves Some Wanting More

Harley Brown quotes Chris regarding the effectiveness of Spotify's artist outreach with Featured Artist Coalition.

October 9, 2014

The Lawyerist

Does Using Gmail Put Attorney Client Privilege At Risk?

Sam Glover of the Lawyerist quotes Chris's article in Texas Lawyer regarding ethical issues around Google's data mining of email communications on its Gmail and Google Apps for Business products.

October 8, 2014

American Bar Association Journal

Does Using Gmail Put the Attorney Client Privilege At Risk?

Martha Neil at the ABA Journal quotes Chris's article in Texas Lawyer regarding ethical issues around Google's data mining of email communications on its Gmail and Google Apps for Business products.

October 8, 2014

Hypebot

Artists Confront Spotify At Soho House Meeting

Chris's guest post at Hypebot on the "secret" Spotify artist meeting in New York.

September 26, 2014

The New York Times

Tom Yorke, Radiohead Artist, Releases Album Via Bit Torrent

Ben Sisario quotes Chris about the implications of commercializing Bit Torrent Bundles.

September 18, 2014

U.S. Copyright Office

Notice of Final Rulemaking for Section 115 Statements of Account

Chris's comment is quoted by U.S. Copyright Office in the Supplementary Information for the Copyright Office's new regulations regarding accounting obligations of compulsory licensees under Section 115 of the U.S. Copyright Act.

September 15, 2014

Washington Internet Daily (subscription)

Battle Over Consent Decrees Resumes In Round Two of Music Licensing Comments

Chris is quoted regarding the technical aspects of repealing the compulsory mechanical royalty license under Section 115 of the Copyright Act as discussed in the U.S. Copyright Office Music Licensing Study reply comments.

September 5, 2014

The Register

Judge: Google class action 'usual suspects' cash-fling 'smells'

Andrew Orlowski cites to Chris about Judge Edward Davila's rejection of questionable proposed class action settlement for In Re Google Referrer Header Privacy Litigation (Case Number 5:10-cv-04809-EJD, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, San Jose Division).

August 4, 2014

Washington Internet Daily (subscription)

Consent Decree Review Comments Expected to Highlight Divide Between Music Industry, Broadcasters

Chris is quoted regarding the U.S. Department of Justice review of the ASCAP and BMI consent decrees.

July 24, 2014

The Guardian

Spotify: seven reasons why Google might buy the music streaming service

Stuart Dredge cites to Chris in analyzing a potential sale of Spotify to Google.

July 14, 2014

Radio and Internet News

Garth Brooks Finally Going Digital But No Streaming

RAIN's Brad Hill cites to Chris in discussion of Garth Brooks comeback digital strategy.

July 7, 2014

Record of the Day

David Balfour believes that the music industry must accept and embrace the idea that advertising revenues are a crucial element of our future success

Editor David Balfour quotes Chris in editorial on revenue share-based royalties.

The Register

June 24, 2014

REVEALED: Google's proposed indie music-killing contract terms

Andrew Orlowski quotes Chris is discussion of controversial YouTube attempts at negotiating substandard terms with indie labels.

April 2, 2014

The New York Times

Music Industry Pushes Unified Message on Compensation

Ben Sisario quotes Chris on the importance of the music industry standing together against tech industry forces seeking to divide us.

March 18, 2014

The Hollywood Reporter: Hollywood, Esq.

What Viacom Has to Show for Seven Years of Pursuing YouTube (Analysis)

Chris is quoted in the Hollywood Reporter's coverage of Viacom's settlement with YouTube.

February 27, 2014

TheStreet.com's Digital Skeptic

This Pro Music Marketer Just Wants a 10% Cut

TheStreet.com's Digital Skeptic quotes Chris in coverage on Thirty Tigers innovative indie label distribution model.

January 19, 2014

Los Angeles Times

Don Engel dies at 84; entertainment attorney represented major pop stars

Chris is quoted in tribute to legendary litigator Don Engel.

January 15, 2014

Billboard

The Hubris Behind Google's Demotion of Rap Genius (Guest Post)

November 14, 2013

Billboard

Rap Genius Inks Deal With Sony/ATV Just as Takedown Notices Arrive

Chris is quoted in news on NMPA's action against unlicensed lyric websites

September 28, 2013

Huffington Post

Getting the Government Out of Songwriting: Voluntary Licenses Should Replace Consent Decrees or Compulsory Licenses

September 23, 2013

Billboard

Compilation Producers vs. Spotify, Round One

Chris discusses the broader implications of Ministry of Sound's UK lawsuit against Spotify's free riding on playlists using the MOS brand

July 30, 2013

The Hill Congress Blog

Five Things Congress Could Do For Music Creators That Wouldn’t Cost Taxpayers a Dime

July 26, 2013

The Huffington Post

Five Things Congress Could Do For Music Creators That Wouldn’t Cost the Taxpayer a Dime Part 1: Pre-72 Sound Recordings

June 18, 2013

National Association of Attorneys General Summer Meeting, Boston

“Intellectual Property Crimes Online: Dangerous Access to Prescription Drugs and Pirated Content”, The Honorable Jim Hood, Attorney General of Mississippi

Chris is a panelist at the Summer NAAG meeting, watch a video of the panel and read Chris’s lecture materials.

June 4, 2013

Creators' Summit, Washington, DC

Interview with Chris Castle, "Reconnecting with the Digital Narrative"

April 16, 2013

The Street

The Digital Skeptic: Terms of Service Could Shatter Google Glass

Jonathan Blum interviews Chris on his views of the potential legal liability from Google Glass.

January 2, 2013

Los Angeles Times

Report links Google, Yahoo to Internet piracy sites

Chris is quoted in story on USC-Annenberg Innovation Lab’s Transparency Report on brand supported piracy.

December 27, 2012

Billboard

Reversion Rights: Will 2013 be a Game-Changer?

Chris is quoted in Billboard’s coverage of the effects of the 35-year termination on the US music industry.

December 14, 2012

Digital Music News

USC Is Now Researching the Amount of Money Flowing Into Pirate Sites

Chris is quoted in reporting on the USC-Annenberg Innovation Lab study on brand-supported piracy.

November 27, 2012

The Hill’s Congress Blog:

A bipartisan offender: The Internet Radio Fairness Act

By David Lowery, founder of Cracker and Camper Van Beethovan and Austin music attorney Chris Castle

October 31, 2012

CNET

Right on Cue: Can iTunes chief fix Apple’s maps and Siri?

Chris is quoted in CNET profile on Apple’s Eddy Cue

Digital Music News

Tim Westergren Has Dumped More Than $9 Million of Pandora Stock This Year…

Music Tech Policy blog post is quoted in Digital Music News.

Huffington Post

The Tide Has Risen: Five Reasons to Worry About the Internet Radio Fairness Act

Chris’s blog in The Huffington Post Criticizing the Internet Radio Fairness Act and Coalition

September 20th, 2011

Variety

Ganging Up On Google: Hollywood Watches With Some Satisfaction

Chris is quoted in Variety’s “Wilshire and Washington” coverage of Google hearings at U.S. Senate Antitrust Subcommittee

August 12th, 2011

Law 360

Grooveshark Faces Uphill Battle in Copyright Suits

Chris is interviewed with other leading lawyers about possible outcomes in Grooveshark litigation and flaws in Grooveshark business model.

August 1st, 2011
The Tennessean

Suit seeks slice of music-streaming revenue
Discussion of Grooveshark case in Tennessee

April 5th, 2011
The Hill Congress Blog

Can Creators Call 911
Chris posts in The Hill about hearings leading up to the introduction of the Protect IP Act in the US Congress.

December 16th, 2010
Billboard Business Matters

Google Music
Chris is quoted on potential terms of Google Music offering.

November 29th, 2010
WSJ

Website Closures Escalate US War on Piracy
Chris is quoted in Wall Street Journal article on ICE seizures of rogue websites.

November 5th, 2010

WSJ

Don’t Stop Believing in Risk of Song Sharing
Chris is quoted in Wall Street Journal coverage of leading file sharing case.

March 13th, 2010

Billboard

The Nuances of Net Neutrality
This isn’t lost on new FCC chairman Julius Genachowski, who has said that it’s “vital that illegal conduct be curtailed on the Internet. I do not interpret the goals of net neutrality as preventing network operators from taking reasonable steps to block unlawful content.” His sentiments have been echoed by others in the Obama administration as well as the AFL-CIO, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, the Screen Actors Guild, the Directors Guild of America, the Songwriters Guild of America and many other members of the professional creative community.

Yet self-anointed consumer groups trivialize file “sharing” and try to position legitimate net neutrality concerns of our colleagues and artists as “Big Music” against consumers and “moguls” exploiting artists. As usual, the rhetoric of these groups ignores both indie labels and artists.

What’s so hard to understand about a company calling itself “the Pirate Bay” and mocking copyright owners and artists who try to protect themselves? Internet service providers (ISP) get it, and they are the first line of defense in responding to flagrant copyright violations. Copyright owners of all sizes should be free to work with them to find new ways to develop premium services and combat piracy without having to litigate every single issue into the ground. We can’t afford it, either literally or figuratively, and neither can our colleagues in the professional creative community—musicians, filmmakers, illustrators, authors, photographers, journalists or game developers.

http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?sid=007be317-8470-4154-95fd-d01e96d81c49%40sessionmgr112&vid=1&hid=117&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=a9h&AN=48504418

February 26th, 2010
The Register

Bringing P2P In From the Cold

Interview Attorney Chris Castle has worked for the original Napster (“one of the greatest inventions of the 20th Century”), Snocap and in digital licensing for Sony and A&M. In the first installment of our annual catch-up, he wondered whether Google may have annoyed so many rights holders that it’s rethinking its strategy. Here, he talks about how he tried to bring P2P in from the cold at Napster, then Snocap.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/02/26/castle_five_minute_copyright_napster_history/

December 13th, 2009
The Register

Antitrust Incoming?

Interview Attorney Chris Castle has worked for the original Napster (“one of the greatest inventions of the 20th Century”), Snocap and in digital licensing for Sony and A&M, and his “View of the Music Wars from 30,000 Feet” was one of the most popular features of last year. In the first installment of our annual catch-up, he wonders whether Google may have annoyed so many rights holders that it’s rethinking its strategy.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/12/03/chris_castle_google/

January 11th, 2009

Osgoode Hall Law School (IP Osgoode Blog)

The Elephant in the Choruss (Osgoode Hall IP Blog)
http://www.iposgoode.ca/2009/01/the-elephant-in-the-choruss/

December 31st, 2008

The Register

Is Google’s Culture Grab Unstoppable? (The Register)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/12/31/chris_castle_google_books_and_beyond/

December 30th, 2008
Content Agenda (Rick Carnes and Chris Castle)

Choruss Hits a Sour Note by Rick Carnes and Chris Castle An op-ed co-written by Rick Carnes, President of the Songwriters Guild of America and Chris Castle.

November 27th, 2008
The Register

The Music Wars from 30,000 Feet by Andrew Orlowski

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/11/27/chris_castle/ Chris is interviewed by Andrew Orlowski for a historical perspective on where things are and should be going.

September 19th, 2008
CNET

(Greg Sandoval): Should Apple Take a Chance with Music Subscriptions?

Chris Castle, a longtime music insider and attorney, says he believes there’s a market for subscription-based cell phones.

“There are people out there who have high-end home audio systems that want high fidelity and clean copies of songs,” Castle said. “They don’t want to rip lots of content. They aren’t willing to pay a $1 a pop for it, but they’d be willing to pay something for it. I think preloaded hard drives are a business, provided they offer lots of stuff. The questions are what do the publishers want for it? Can you make a deal?”

Castle sees the potential for artist-driven or genre-driven preloaded devices.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10046236-93.html

March 28th, 2008

CNET

CNET Guest Blog: Warner Music’s Tune of Folly

February 26th, 2008

Forbes: America’s Top Pop Imports
“It’s so hard to break an artist, it almost doesn’t matter where you’re from,” says Chris Castle, a music industry attorney based in Sherman Oaks, Calif. “It’s very hard to break into radio. It’s very hard to move units. Tours–it’s very competitive.”

November 5th, 2007
CNET: Making Music in a World of Freeloaders by Charles Cooper
“But I’d be careful about dismissing this as a pipe dream. Just as one data point hardly makes for a trend, there’s nothing conclusive here–other than a depressing reaffirmation of human selfishness. Music attorney and industry exec Chris Castle made a telling point in a conversation with my colleague Greg Sandoval that the economic lifespan of a music album can extend as long as two years.”

October 8th, 2007
CNET: For RIAA, a black eye comes with the job by Greg Sandoval
“But if the RIAA isn’t going to stand up for its rights, who will?”, asks Chris Castle, a copyright lawyer and former executive with A&M Records and Sony Entertainment.

The music industry can’t rely on the federal government. He points out that the Copyright Office has far less power than other regulatory bodies, such as the Securities and Exchange Commission and Federal Trade Commission.

“The copyright office has virtually no enforcement powers,” Castle said. “That’s left up to the Department of Justice and they haven’t done much about this problem. If the RIAA didn’t do anything about piracy, then nothing would get done.”

October 5th, 2007
FMBQ: Record Labels Rewarded In Major File Sharing Case

“The answer that the court gave was, ‘It’s your account, you’re responsible,’” Castle said, according to CNet. “‘It’s your screen name. You pay the bills. It’s in your house. You are on the hook for it.’”

October 5th, 2007
Information Week

RIAA Victory Sends Message by KC Jones
A Minnesota woman’s $220,000 fine for illegally downloading music files is expected to set a precedent for other recording industry lawsuits, a music lawyer suggests.

By K.C. Jones,InformationWeek

Oct. 5, 2007
Information Week

The jury’s guilty verdict this week in a file-sharing trial could deter others from pushing back against the recording industry’s copyright claims.

However, it is unlikely that it will completely stop music files from being swapped on the Internet, according to a music attorney specializing in online sales and copyright.

The Recording Industry Association of America won its first trial this week when a jury ordered Jammie Thomas of Duluth, Minnesota to pay $220,000 to six separate record companies — Sony BMG, Arista Records, Interscope Records, UMG Recordings, Capitol Records, and Warner Bros. Records. The amount covers 24 copyrighted songs illegally downloaded on her computer. Thomas’ lawyer argued that someone else could have downloaded the songs either in-person or remotely, but the Minnesota jury sided with the recording industry.

Christian Castle, who runs his own practice out of Los Angeles, said that the token ruling could discourage some people from illegally downloading and sharing copyrighted music and gives credence to the industry’s legal tactics. Critics often claim the RIAA goes too far in chasing down those who share files illegally.

“The fact that this case went to trial and there was a verdict — whatever the outcome — was a good thing, because there’s some kind of sense that these cases don’t have merit,” he said during an interview Friday.

That was the case earlier this summer when a Texas court sided with a woman who claimed Sony BMG Music Entertainment and others illegally employed unlicensed investigators to dig up information on her when the RIAA suspected she had been illegally sharing music files.

Since 2003, the record companies have filed some 26,000 file-sharing lawsuits. In addition to individual cases, such as the Thomas case, the RIAA has also been targeting college campuses as hubs of illegal peer-to-peer file sharing under blanket “John Doe” lawsuits.

Although record industry critics are likely to continue their resistance, the Minnesota ruling sends a message that “this really is bad behavior and it needs to stop,” Castle said.

People who aren’t deterred by the ruling may be more inclined to accept settlement offers once they’re caught, he said.

The Thomas case did not go forward to stop file-sharing, he said. It will give artists and executives the “legal and moral high-ground” in their battles against copyright infringement, Castle said. It could also make it easier to lobby Congress for better protections.

“For some reason the music business is charged with paying for effective enforcement of the law,” he said.

If someone called U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents and complained that people were stacking crates of stolen Ford auto parts they would not be told to take care of it themselves, Castle said.

“That’s what’s going on here,” he said.

As for Thomas, she got off easy, according to Castle, who said she could have been fined $150,000 per copy rather than $10,000.

“I think the jury was telling her ‘We don’t buy your story. You’re guilty of doing this intentionally. We’re going to give you a verdict that will sting but is not the gross national product of a small country,” he said.

October 4th, 2007

CNET
Greg Sandoval’s CNET News Blog: RIAA Wins Key Victory; accused file sharer must pay $220,000

“The decision is important in that it sends a message to file sharers that Internet anonymity won’t protect them from lawsuits, said Chris Castle, a copyright attorney and longtime music industry executive.”

http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9791383-7.html?tag=nefd.pulse

September 20th, 2007

CNET: Leaked e-mails reveal MediaDefender’s antipiracy woes by Greg Sandoval
As file-sharing protocols continue to improve, circumstances are bound to get even more difficult for companies like MediaDefender, said Chris Castle, a longtime music industry attorney and executive.

“I think that one of the problems in general is that you can’t put a $100 piece of security on something that sells for 99 cents,” Castle said. “There is only so much money you’re going to spend to protect a piece of content and that means there’s only so much that antipiracy companies can afford to do.”

September 19th, 2007
Forbes: The Top-Earning Musicians by Louis Hau
Many of top earning musicians maximize their earning potential by going out of their way to cultivate a fan base outside the U.S. as well, particularly in Europe and Asia. Madonna, Bon Jovi and Celine Dion aren’t just popular musicians. They’re worldwide pop stars.

“That’s not something that happens by accident, that’s not something that happens overnight,” observes Los Angeles entertainment attorney Chris Castle. “That’s something they work at. And they work at it because they want a career.”

September 17th, 2007
Future of Music at the Commonwealth Club
http://fora.tv/fora/showthread.php?t=1641
Chris participated in a panel about the state of the digital music business at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco.

July 16th, 2007

CNET

Could YouTube Drag Apple Into Copyright Fight?
http://news.com.com/8301-10784_3-9745198-7.html
“Apple created a device that now traffics in bootlegged content,” [Bob] Tur told CNET News.com. “Steve Jobs is a brilliant man and I’m Apple’s biggest fan. It sickens me to think that he can turn a blind eye to (copyright infringement).”

Tur said he may sue Apple for secondary copyright infringement, but legal experts are highly skeptical that Apple would ever be found liable.

“I would absolutely bet there is an indemnity provision in the contract with YouTube that protects Apple,” said Chris Castle, an attorney who has represented both technology and entertainment companies in copyright cases.

Castle also points out that YouTube is providing the videos, not Apple, which would make suing the latter company for copyright infringement even harder. Both Apple and YouTube declined to comment.