Exclusive: Sony Music backs AI rights startup Vermillio
Why it matters: Sony Music's first investment in AI licensing seeks to protect its artists and support them in responsibly using generative AI tools.
How it works: Vermillio's TraceID tool monitors online content for use of intellectual property, as well as name, image and likeness. The platform can automatically send takedown requests and manage payments for licensed content.
The company charges $4,000 per month for the software and takes a transaction fee for its licensing tool.
Clients include movie studios like Sony Pictures, record labels like Sony Music, talent agencies like WME, as well as individual talent.
With Sony Pictures, Vermillio let fans create AI-generated Spider-Verse characters, and it partnered with The Orb and David Gilmour, alongside Sony Music and Legacy Recordings, on AI tools for creating tracks and artwork inspired by "Metallic Spheres In Colour."
Context: CEO Dan Neely has worked in AI for more than 20 years. The serial entrepreneur sold his last startup, Networked Insights, to American Family Insurance in 2017 and founded Vermillio in 2019.
He says he was inspired to build the "guardrails for generative internet" after seeing the release of deepfake creation software, DeepFaceLab, and rapper Jay-Z's efforts to take down a deepfake of himself.
Flashback: Prior, Vermillio raised $7.5 million in seed funding from angel investors.
Dennis Kooker, president, global digital business at Sony Music Entertainment, says he was introduced to Neely about a year and a half ago and was impressed by his knowledge of and the startup's strategy.
"The first project we did together was a proof of concept with David Gilmore and The Orb to show and highlight that intellectual property and generative AI can work hand in hand," Kooker says. "Training the right way, ethically and principally, can be accomplished."
Zoom out: Some companies like Sony Music are seeking legal action on cases where generative AI impacts the core of IP companies. These companies want to protect and monetize creators and content along with nearly every other aspect of their businesses.
Sony Music, along with Universal Music Group and Warner Records, sued AI startups Suno and Udio for copyright infringement.
But content companies also want to embrace these technologies. Artists can use the tech for their own content creation and for fan engagement.
What's next: Neely says Vermillio plans to expand to sports and work with major sports leagues this year. It's also releasing a free version of the product that shows whether someone is at high or low risk of AI copyright.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
38 minutes ago
- Yahoo
3 Stocks Under $10 We Keep Off Our Radar
Stocks under $10 pique our interest because they have room to grow (as well as the most affordable option contract premiums). That doesn't mean they're bargains though, and we urge investors to be careful as many have risky business models. The bad behavior exhibited by lower-quality companies in this space can spook even the most seasoned professionals, which is why we started StockStory - to separate the good from the bad. That said, here are three stocks under $10 to avoid and some other investments you should consider instead. Portillo's (PTLO) Share Price: $7.75 Begun as a Chicago hot dog stand in 1963, Portillo's (NASDAQ:PTLO) is a casual restaurant chain that serves Chicago-style hot dogs and beef sandwiches as well as fries and shakes. Why Does PTLO Fall Short? Weak same-store sales trends over the past two years suggest there may be few opportunities in its core markets to open new restaurants Poor free cash flow margin of -0.4% for the last two years limits its freedom to invest in growth initiatives, execute share buybacks, or pay dividends Depletion of cash reserves could lead to a fundraising event that triggers shareholder dilution At $7.75 per share, Portillo's trades at 18.7x forward P/E. If you're considering PTLO for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more. Lucky Strike (LUCK) Share Price: $9.47 Born from the transformation of traditional bowling alleys into modern entertainment destinations, Lucky Strike (NYSE:LUCK) operates bowling alleys and other entertainment venues with upscale amenities, arcade games, and food and beverage services across North America. Why Should You Dump LUCK? Lagging same-store sales over the past two years suggest it might have to change its pricing and marketing strategy to stimulate demand Shrinking returns on capital suggest that increasing competition is eating into the company's profitability Limited cash reserves may force the company to seek unfavorable financing terms that could dilute shareholders Lucky Strike's stock price of $9.47 implies a valuation ratio of 31.7x forward P/E. To fully understand why you should be careful with LUCK, check out our full research report (it's free). Funko (FNKO) Share Price: $2.50 Boasting partnerships with media franchises like Marvel and One Piece, Funko (NASDAQ:FNKO) is a company specializing in creating and distributing licensed pop culture collectibles. Why Are We Out on FNKO? Annual sales declines of 9.7% for the past two years show its products and services struggled to connect with the market Shrinking returns on capital from an already weak position reveal that neither previous nor ongoing investments are yielding the desired results Unfavorable liquidity position could lead to additional equity financing that dilutes shareholders Funko is trading at $2.50 per share, or 12x forward P/E. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why FNKO doesn't pass our bar. High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions Trump's April 2025 tariff bombshell triggered a massive market selloff, but stocks have since staged an impressive recovery, leaving those who panic sold on the sidelines. Take advantage of the rebound by checking out our Top 9 Market-Beating Stocks. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 183% over the last five years (as of March 31st 2025). Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,545% between March 2020 and March 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-small-cap company Exlservice (+354% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today for free. Find your next big winner with StockStory today. Find your next big winner with StockStory today StockStory is growing and hiring equity analyst and marketing roles. Are you a 0 to 1 builder passionate about the markets and AI? See the open roles here. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
38 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Zacks Industry Outlook Highlights Brixmor Property, Phillips Edison and Urban Edge Properties
For Immediate Release Chicago, IL – August 11, 2025 – Today, Zacks Equity Research discusses Brixmor Property Group Inc. BRX, Phillips Edison & Company, Inc. PECO and Urban Edge Properties UE. Industry: REIT & Equity Trust Link: The Zacks REIT and Equity Trust - Retail industry constituents are well-positioned to capitalize on favorable market conditions and evolving strategies. Strong consumer spending and limited new development underpin healthy fundamentals, while high-performing retail hubs continue to attract tenants. The relevance of physical retail remains strong, supported by omnichannel models and experience-driven formats. Companies like Brixmor Property Group Inc., Phillips Edison & Company, Inc. and Urban Edge Properties are poised to benefit. However, ongoing e-commerce expansion, shifting trade policies and elevated interest rates pose notable headwinds. These pressures may lead to tighter margins, increased financing costs and a potential uptick in store closures, underscoring the importance of a strategic tenant mix and capital discipline. Industry Description The Zacks REIT and Equity Trust - Retail industry comprises REITs that own, develop, manage and lease various retail properties, including regional malls, outlet centers, grocery-anchored shopping venues and power centers with big-box retailers. Net lease REITs focus on freestanding properties, where tenants bear rent and most operating expenses. Retail REIT performance is significantly impacted by economic conditions, employment levels and consumer spending trends. Key drivers of demand include the geographic location of properties and the demographics of surrounding trade areas. While the industry faced significant challenges from declining foot traffic, store closures and retailer bankruptcies in the past, it is now experiencing a rebound, driven by renewed consumer interest in in-store shopping, signaling a positive shift in the retail landscape. What's Shaping the Future of the REIT and Equity Trust - Retail Industry? Retail REITs are benefiting from the transformation of physical stores into immersive, experience-driven destinations. Experiential retail, incorporating dining, entertainment and interactive elements, is driving stronger foot traffic, longer visit durations and higher sales. This evolution aligns with changing consumer preferences that favor engagement over transactional shopping. Complementing this trend is the growth of omnichannel strategies, as retailers, including digitally-native brands, are establishing physical storefronts to reduce return costs and deepen customer relationships. Programs like Buy Online, Return In Store ("BORIS") enhance convenience while boosting in-store traffic. Another key tailwind is solid leasing demand from consumer service providers and cross-border entrants expanding into U.S. markets. These tenant categories have shown resilience amid macroeconomic uncertainty, helping diversify the tenant base and drive long-term occupancy stability. Altogether, these factors are reinforcing the importance of brick-and-mortar assets in a digitally integrated retail environment. Retail REITs are also benefiting from a structurally constrained supply pipeline. New construction remains limited due to elevated building costs, labor shortages and stricter financing conditions — factors that are unlikely to reverse quickly. As a result, national vacancy rates remain historically tight. This low supply environment supports continued rent growth, especially in prime locations. Many REITs are capitalizing on this low-supply environment by redeveloping and repurposing underperforming assets, often adding non-traditional tenants such as healthcare services, gyms or entertainment venues. Mixed-use developments are also gaining momentum, turning outdated retail sites into vibrant, community-oriented destinations. These strategies are reinforcing portfolio durability and improving rental income visibility across economic cycles. Despite positive structural shifts, retail REITs face ongoing pressure from macroeconomic headwinds. High interest rates, inflation and tariff changes are prompting retailers to delay leasing decisions or scale back expansion plans. Store closures are now outpacing openings, and leasing activity is slowing. Rising e-commerce penetration dampens demand for traditional retail space, especially in commodity-driven segments. Tariffs on low-cost imports could further erode retailer profitability, limiting expansion plans and increasing the likelihood of further bankruptcies, leading to vacancy risk and challenging cash flow visibility for retail REITs in the near term. Zacks Industry Rank Indicates Bright Prospects The Zacks REIT and Equity Trust - Retail industry is housed within the broader Zacks Finance sector. It carries a Zacks Industry Rank #69, which places it in the top 28% of around 250 Zacks industries. The group's Zacks Industry Rank, which is basically the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates robust near-term prospects. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1. The industry's positioning in the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries is a result of the upward funds from operations (FFO) per share outlook for the constituent companies in aggregate. Looking at the aggregate FFO per share estimate revisions, it appears that analysts are gaining confidence in this group's growth potential. Since March 2025, the industry's FFO per share estimates for 2025 and 2026 have moved 1.64% and 0.2% north, respectively. Before we present a few stocks that you may want to consider for your portfolio, let's take a look at the industry's recent stock market performance and valuation picture. Industry Underperforms Sector and S&P 500 The REIT and Equity Trust - Retail Industry has underperformed the broader Zacks Finance sector and the S&P 500 composite over the past year. The industry has declined 5.5% during this period compared with the S&P 500's rise of 19.4% and the broader Finance sector's growth of 19.1%. Industry's Current Valuation On the basis of the forward 12-month price-to-FFO, which is a commonly used multiple for valuing retail REITs, we see that the industry is currently trading at 14.62X compared with the S&P 500's forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) of 22.54X. The industry is also trading below the Finance sector's forward 12-month P/E of 16.71X. Over the last five years, the industry has traded as high as 18.89X and as low as 12.21X, with a median of 15.19X. 3 Retail REIT Stocks to Consider Brixmor: Headquartered in New York, this REIT focuses on the ownership and management of open-air shopping centers across the United States. Its portfolio features a well-balanced tenant base that includes flourishing national, regional and local retailers. BRX's shopping centers are strategically positioned near residential areas, offering convenient access and supporting last-mile distribution. The portfolio features a balanced tenant mix, combining non-discretionary and value-focused retailers with consumer-focused service providers, enhancing foot traffic and ensuring consistent demand across a variety of economic conditions. Brixmor currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current-year FFO per share has witnessed a marginal upward revision to $2.23, indicating a 4.7% year-over-year jump. The stock has also risen 3.7% over the past three months. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Phillips Edison: PECO, based in Cincinnati, OH, specializes in the ownership and operation of high-quality, grocery-anchored neighborhood shopping centers. As of June 30, 2025, the company managed 327 shopping centers, including 303 wholly owned centers containing 34.0 million square feet across 31 states and 24 shopping centers owned in three institutional joint ventures. PECO offers omnichannel grocery-anchored shopping experiences. It enjoys strong-credit neighbors and a diversified mix. With high-quality, necessity-based tenants and resilient foot traffic trends, PECO benefits from consistent demand. It is also among the REITs with the lowest tenant exposure to changes in tariff rates. Strong tenant retention, solid same store net operating growth, decent lease spreads, and consistent dividend income underscore its operational excellence and long-term value creation. PECO currently carries a Zacks Rank #2. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 FFO per share has witnessed a 1.2% upward revision to $2.58, reflecting analysts' bullish outlook. Though the stock has declined 5.6% over the past three months, it currently offers a good entry point. Urban Edge Properties: This New York-based company is engaged in the owning, managing, acquiring, developing and redeveloping retail real estate in urban communities, primarily in the Washington, DC to Boston corridor. Its properties are concentrated in the most densely populated, supply-constrained region in the country, assuring a steady flow of traffic. Also, a large portion of Urban Edge's portfolio is anchored by high-performing essential retailers, which ensures stable cash flows. Particularly, 80% of portfolio value is grocery-anchored. It has a healthy balance sheet, with only 8% of debt maturing through 2026. It targets long-term FFO growth of 4-5% annually, supported by a strong lease pipeline (≈9% of NOI) and strategic redevelopment and capital recycling. UE currently has a Zacks Rank #2. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its 2025 FFO per share has been raised 1.4% over the past month to $1.40, indicating a 3.7% year-over-year increase. The stock has rallied 6.8% in the past three months. Note: Funds from operations (FFO) is a widely used metric to gauge the performance of REITs rather than net income as it indicates cash flow from their operations. FFO is obtained after adding depreciation and amortization to earnings and subtracting the gains on sales. Free: Instant Access to Zacks' Market-Crushing Strategies Since 2000, our top stock-picking strategies have blown away the S&P's +7.7% average gain per year. Amazingly, they soared with average gains of +48.4%, +50.2% and +56.7% per year. Today you can tap into those powerful strategies – and the high-potential stocks they uncover – free. No strings attached. Get all the details here >> Join us on Facebook: Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates. Media Contact Zacks Investment Research 800-767-3771 ext. 9339 support@ Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Urban Edge Properties (UE) : Free Stock Analysis Report Brixmor Property Group Inc. (BRX) : Free Stock Analysis Report Phillips Edison & Company, Inc. (PECO) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Chance the Rapper Talks Co-Parenting Following Divorce: 'Family Is One of the Biggest Things'
Chance the Rapper and his ex-wife Kirsten Corley are on good terms for the sake of their two daughters, Kensli and Marli. Ahead of his long-awaited sophomore album Star Line and its accompanying tour, the Grammy winner was a guest on the Monday (August 11) edition of CBS Mornings. Around the 1:30 mark, co-host Gayle King asked Chance about the state of his relationship with Corley. The ex-spouses finalized their divorce earlier this year after roughly six years of marriage. "She's good. Hey Kirsten! And hey, Kensli and Marli," Chance said to the camera. "You know, family is one of the biggest things for me, for her, for my kids, for my mom and dad. So I think the most important thing for anybody that's having to navigate that is making sure you keep an environment for the kids where they understand that's the priority." COMPLEX SHOP: Shop the brands you love, anytime and anywhere. Uncover what's next. Buy. Collect. Obsess. King also inquired about the lyrics to Chance's song "Space and Time," where he raps, "Just look to the stars if you ever feel your heart broke." Chance called it one of his most "well-written" songs and shared that it pertained to his split from Corley. "I think it's a very personal song about, you know, what we were just talking about, navigating that relationship with the mother of my children," he said. Chance also said the song is similar to an epic like the Homer's ancient classic The Odyssey, in which the protagonist goes through many adventures trying to return home to his wife and son after fighting in the Trojan War. "I love to build a larger story. So it kind of reads as like a epic like The Odyssey or anybody that's like a seafaring or adventurous character in a book. They go out on the search for some sort of success or thing that they value and then they find that the thing that they value the most they might have left at home," he said. Chance called the message "even deeper," adding, "It's just coming to terms with the fact that sometimes it's best if you love somebody the most, you let them go and you let them grow." Before their divorce was finalized in January, Chance and Corley announced last April that they had separated. Rumors that the former spouses had broken up began whirling when the rapper was seen grinding on a woman at Carnival in 2023. ComplexCon returns to Las Vegas on October 25–26, 2025, with over 300 brands and live performances by Young Thug, YEAT & Friends, Peso Pluma, Central Cee, Ken Carson, and more. Get your tickets now. Related Products Larry June's Store Larry June & Cardo - The Night Shift Vinyl $39.98 , uDiscover Music Stellaria CD $13.98 , uDiscover Music Stellaria [2 LP] $45.99 , Republic Records Official Store Greta Van Fleet, Starcatcher CD $13.99 Related News , , Related News Kehlani Offering Free Laundry Services to Mothers in Celebration of 'Folded' Success Dame Dash's Arrest Demanded By Lawsuit Opponent COMPLEX SHOP: Shop the brands you love, anytime and anywhere. Uncover what's next. Buy. Collect. Obsess. Making Culture Pop. Find the latest entertainment news and the best in music, pop culture, sneakers, style and original shows. Solve the daily Crossword
