Latest news with #UniversalMusicGroup
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP ACCELERATES THE DEVELOPMENT OF ITS AI TECHNOLOGY PATENTS WITH IP ASSET MANAGEMENT, INVESTMENT AND ADVISORY FIRM LIQUIDAX CAPITAL
SANTA MONICA, Calif., July 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, today announced a strategic partnership with IP asset management, investment and advisory firm Liquidax Capital, to accelerate the development of UMG's music-related AI patents. Since 2020, UMG has been a music industry leader in AI, having developed patented technology focused on leveraging AI to support artist marketing, analytics and distribution. Under this new partnership, Liquidax will provide UMG with support on the development, filing, and licensing work required to greatly expand its patent portfolio and bring new products to market. UMG has already filed 15 patents with Liquidax in the fields of musical collaboration, multi-media content and campaign creation, music & health, AI threat protection, music administration and rights management. Two of the UMG AI patents have already been issued. In connection with the partnership, Music IP Holdings, Inc. (MIH) has been formed to license the AI patents and other technologies developed with UMG into the global marketplace. In making the announcement, Chris Horton, SVP, Strategic Technology at UMG said, "At Universal Music Group, we are taking a very active role in fostering innovation. Building on our historical and contemporary track record of cutting-edge R&D, scientific advancements and successful patent applications, we are looking forward to significantly advancing our internal efforts, with a dedicated focus on AI technology. And we're very pleased to be entering into this collaboration with Liquidax, with whom we intend to develop a strong strategic relationship that will amplify our ability to develop IP and take it to market, accelerating the evolution of the music ecosystem." Daniel Drolet, Founder of Liquidax and Partner in MIH said, "We are honored and excited to partner with UMG, the global leader in music innovation and ethical AI. We are laser focused on advancing UMG's leadership and their cutting-edge technologies, especially in AI, to empower their artists, protect creative rights, foster partnerships, and enhance UMG's fan experiences worldwide. We are thrilled to be working with UMG to shape the future of music." About Universal Music Group Universal Music Group exists to shape culture through the power of artistry. UMG is the world leader in music-based entertainment, with a broad array of businesses engaged in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising and audiovisual content. Featuring the most comprehensive catalogue of recordings and songs across every musical genre, UMG identifies and develops artists and produces and distributes the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful music in the world. Committed to artistry, innovation and entrepreneurship, UMG fosters the development of services, platforms and business models in order to broaden artistic and commercial opportunities for our artists and create new experiences for fans. For more information, visit About Liquidax Capital Liquidax Capital is a leading IP Asset Management, Investment and Advisory firm. They provide clients with management, licensing and sales of advanced IP and Technology assets, intellectual property asset moat development, joint partnerships and investment opportunities. For more information, visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Universal Music Group Sign in to access your portfolio
Wall Street Journal
2 days ago
- Business
- Wall Street Journal
EU Opens In-Depth Investigation Into Universal Music's $775 Million Downtown Deal
The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation into Universal Music Group's $775 million takeover of U.S. label Downtown, citing competition concerns. The commission said Tuesday that it wants to look further into the companies' transaction after starting a preliminary investigation earlier this year. The EU's merger enforcer said it is worried the deal could distort the market for wholesale recorded music distribution if it goes ahead, by giving Universal access to rival record labels' commercially sensitive data.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Universal Music Group Files for US IPO
Universal Music Group, the company behind stars like Billie Eilish and Taylor Swift, has filed confidentially to go public in the U.S., and is the latest to test a revival in the IPO market. The group didn't disclose how many shares would be sold or the price range of its prospective offering. The confidential filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission marks the start of its listing process. Shares in the company, which is based in the Netherlands and trades on the Euronext Amsterdam exchange, are up 10% so far this year. The music group said it won't be receiving any proceeds from share sales by its shareholders. Universal Music Group is going public at a time when stock markets are booming, with the S&P 500 (SPX) and tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) closing Monday at record highs, and recent listings have outperformed. Read the original article on Investopedia 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
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Universal's $775 million Downtown deal may hinder competition, EU regulators warn
By Foo Yun Chee BRUSSELS (Reuters) -Universal Music Group unit Virgin Music Group's $775 million acquisition of Downtown Music may hinder competition and remove an important competitor, EU antitrust regulators warned on Tuesday. Virgin announced the deal in December last year which subsequently generated pushback from a wide swathe of European independent labels. The European Commission set out its concerns on Tuesday as it opened an in-depth investigation into the deal, confirming a Reuters story last week. "After the acquisition, UMG would likely have the ability and incentive to use commercially sensitive data of third-party record labels for its own business activities notably related to recorded music," the EU executive said in a statement. It said UMG's access to such data may harm rival record labels and may ultimately further strengthen UMG, already a leader in the market for the wholesale distribution of recorded music in Europe. The Commission set a Nov. 26 deadline for its decision. Universal is the world's biggest music company, while Downtown owns a major music publisher and a number of other businesses that help musicians collect royalties. 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
Reuters
2 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Universal's $775 million Downtown deal may hinder competition, EU regulators warn
BRUSSELS, July 22 (Reuters) - Universal Music Group ( opens new tab unit Virgin Music Group's $775 million acquisition of Downtown Music may hinder competition and remove an important competitor, EU antitrust regulators warned on Tuesday. Virgin announced the deal, opens new tab in December last year which subsequently generated pushback from a wide swathe of European independent labels. The European Commission set out its concerns on Tuesday as it opened an in-depth investigation into the deal, confirming a Reuters story last week. "After the acquisition, UMG would likely have the ability and incentive to use commercially sensitive data of third-party record labels for its own business activities notably related to recorded music," the EU executive said in a statement. It said UMG's access to such data may harm rival record labels and may ultimately further strengthen UMG, already a leader in the market for the wholesale distribution of recorded music in Europe. The Commission set a Nov. 26 deadline for its decision. Universal is the world's biggest music company, while Downtown owns a major music publisher and a number of other businesses that help musicians collect royalties.
