Jackson Estate boss indicates further legal action might follow over Leaving Neverland, though libel isn't an option
One of the executors of the Michael Jackson estate has indicated that further litigation may be forthcoming in relation to the 'Leaving Neverland' documentary that was aired by HBO earlier this year. However, John Branca acknowledged that a libel action is not likely, because you can't defame the dead. Something he reckons should possibly be changed.

Branca spoke publicly for the first time yesterday about the fall out that has followed the screening of the documentary. He was taking part in a panel called 'Trial By Media: Guilty Until Proven Innocent' for Harvard's Institute Of Politics, and also chatted to Billboard.

The documentary, of course, puts the spotlight on allegations made by Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who both claim that Jackson sexually abused them when they were children. Both the Jackson estate and family have been scathing about the documentary and its director Dan Reed, arguing that the programme made no efforts to include any contributors who would speak out in defence of the late musician.

During the panel event, Branca confirmed that the estate had taken a commercial hit since the airing of the programme and conceded that - because he earns a commission for his work with the estate - he has a vested interest in trying to protect Jackson's reputation. However, he insisted that his desire to do just that was more about of fairness than any financial considerations.

Speaking of Jackson's accusers, Branca told Billboard: "Those people made up a goddamn story because they wanted money and we will not allow that to go unchecked - it's that simple". And as for Reed, his "documentary is replete with inaccuracies, lies and stuff they knew not to be true. They should be ashamed of themselves".

Although no specifics were provided, it was implied that any future litigation relating to the documentary might be targeted at Reed personally. The estate has already taken legal action against HBO having found a contract between Jackson and the broadcaster from the early 1990s that included a non-disparagement clause. Because back then HBO committed to not disparage Jackson in its future output, the estate argues it is now in breach of contract.

As for what other legal action could be taken - beyond relying on a contractual technicality - well, that's an interesting question. In the US, like the UK, you can't defame the dead, so estates or families of the deceased cannot sue for libel, even if they believe someone has published damaging untruths about a dead person.

Billboard quotes Branca as saying: "Because the laws of defamation are what they are, there is nothing we can do or say. The man can be damaged, his kids can be hurt and theoretically nothing can be done". With that in mind, he went on: "I'm going to suggest the law should be changed to protect the deceased at least for a period of time. Because it's about the truth, it's about fairness, and it's about balance".

HBO continues to stand by both the documentary and its director, while Reed has previously defended his approach in making the film and spoken out in support of the programme's subjects. It remains to be seen if any further legal action does indeed come in.

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CD Baby announces new alliance with Audible Magic
CD Baby has announced a new partnership with audio ID company Audible Magic to better monitor recordings being uploaded into the DIY distributor's platform, so to spot tracks that are either duplicates or dubious.

Both Spotify and Apple Music are now publicly ranking distributors, of course, with the quality of metadata provided and efforts to ensure copyright infringing content is not uploaded being key criteria that the streaming firms employ. Technology like that provided by Audible Magic assists with the latter task.

So far CD Baby has got itself good rankings from both the market-leading streaming firms, but says that it continues to enhance its systems so that it "remains a trusted distribution partner of digital platforms worldwide".

The new partnership will see CD Baby utilise Audible Magic's RightsRx system so that it can "decline to upload" any duplicate or dubious file, "rather than reactively taking it down at a later time due to a potentially costly rights conflict".

The distributor's VP Marketing, Kevin Breun, says: "Audible Magic is an essential element that enables us to play our role in the music business. Their powerful identification technology allows us to serve our artists - and the platforms and services they rely on - quickly and fairly".

Meanwhile, over at Audible Magic, the tech firm's CEO Vance Ikezoye adds: "CD Baby plays a vital role in the independent music community. We look forward to supporting their ongoing efforts to provide the highest quality of service to their artists and maintain strong relationships with the DSPs".

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Radio promotions agency launches podcast plugging division
Radio promotions firm Blueprint Radio has added a new division that will specialise in all things podcasts. Because we all love all things podcasts.

"5.2 million people listen to podcasts in the UK every month and 45% of them are under 35", says Blueprint Radio director Sophie Paluch. "They are also some of the most engaged audiences with over 25% sharing and reposting content - and we think these are numbers that no one can ignore".

She goes on: "We believe that music audiences are now hungrier than ever to know more about the artist behind the music and podcasts are the ideal way to do this, as well as a chance for artists to reach new audiences. And internationally, we know podcasts can reach audiences of millions. [For example], placing artists within the huge world of American podcasts is an excellent opportunity to introduce talent into the US market".

The company reckons that its new service, Blueprint Pods, is the UK's first podcast-led plugging service for artists and labels, with the agency's other director, Chris Slade, adding: "Podcasts present a huge opportunity for artists and rights holders. We wanted to be the first company that fully services this fast developing market in the way in which it deserves".

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Spotify formally opens new R&D base in London
Spotify has formally launched its new research and development hub right here in London. That's right, London! These are crazy times in which we live.

The streaming firm announced plans back in 2017 to boost its London presence by opening up a new R&D centre in the city. The new team, housed in swish offices right next to the Thames, "can be seen to reflect the capital's wealth of tech talent" the company now says. Yeah, maybe. The new hub "represents skills across the fields of engineering, product, design, data, research and insights", it goes on.

Spotify UK MD Tom Connaughton adds: "The UK is famous all over the world for the musical talent that originates here and the strength of the music industry here". Yeah, perhaps. "As one of Spotify's biggest markets", he adds, "it makes perfect sense to expand our team here, and to tap into the large and diverse talent pool to be found in London".

So excited is everyone about this latest Spotify development, even London mayor Sadiq Khan is trying to get in on the action. He declared that "London is the best place in Europe for tech companies to find a wealth of diverse talent". Yeah, well, whatever you say Sadiq. "Spotify's expansion is a further sign that London is open to ground-breaking technology".

With Spotify's new riverside base now open for all the R&D types, the rest of the firm's London teams will decamp from their Oxford Circus base to the new premises later this year. So that's nice. For them.

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SiriusXM shows to deliver highlights podcasts to Pandora
American satellite radio firm SiriusXM has announced that it is adding a selection of its shows to Pandora and calling them podcasts. Because we all love all things podcasts. It means users of the streaming service will now get access to highlights of shows fronted by Ricky Gervais, Kevin Hart, Jenny McCarthy, Andy Cohen and more.

"We're excited that some of our most popular talk shows are now being made available to Pandora users", says Scott Greenstein, SiriusXM's Chief Content Officer. "This will be a great opportunity for new audiences to discover these SiriusXM shows, while providing Pandora with great programming, as we continue to collaborate on content opportunities for both platforms".

This tie-up comes after Pandora was fully acquired by SiriusXM earlier this year, which resulted in the management teams of both companies being merged. Pandora's podcast delivery technology mimics its music platform, in that it aims to play listeners podcasts it thinks they will be interested in based on past usage. Presumably it's hoped that, if this works, people will go from listening to the highlight podcasts on Pandora to listening to the full shows on SiriusXM.

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Quantic announces new album, Atlantic Oscillations
Quantic has announced that he will release his new album, 'Atlantic Oscillations', in June. He's also released its second single, 'Motovic Retrograde'.

The album was made after Quantic, aka producer Will Holland, moved to Brooklyn. "This record feels like it grew naturally as I grew to know New York", he says. "I had started the record with electronic sketches in Ableton but soon found that with my new studio setup I was able to record everything with live musicians. I think that the Quantic sound has always been around making electronic music more natural sounding and including live sounds that make you almost forget its electronic in nature, until something hits you in the face".

He continues: "On the whole, the common theme on this record is that it is probably more intricate and arranged than previous records. I spent three times as long as any other Quantic record and spent a lot of time in the detail".

The album is out on 21 Jun and you can catch Quantic live at Phonox in London on 26 May. He'll then be back for more UK shows in November. Listen to 'Motovic Retrogade' here.

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The Cranberries, Sam Fender, Cate Le Bon, more

Other notable announcements and developments today...

• The Cranberries have released the title track from their final album, 'In The End'. "Lyrically it is self-explanatory", says the band's Noel Hogan. "It speaks for itself, it just is a lovely feeling and it's a gorgeous song".

• BRITs Critics' Choice winner Sam Fender has announced that he will release his debut album, 'Hypersonic Missiles', in August. Here's a making of video.

• Cate Le Bon has released new single, 'Home To You'. Her new album, 'Reward', is out on 24 May.

• At The Gates have released the video for 'The Colours Of The Beast', from last year's To Drink From The Night Itself' album.

• Wovoko Gentle have released new track, 'Tell Em, Makoto!', taken from their debut album, 'Start Clanging Cymbals', out on 7 Jun. The band will be playing a run of UK dates later this month.

• Pixx has released new single 'Bitch'. Her new album, 'Small Mercies', is out on 7 Jun.

• Praa has released the video for 'Won't Forget Bout You', the lead track from her debut EP.

• Pion have announced that they will release their debut album, 'Sympacide', in August. They've also released new single 'Coca Loca'.

• Check out our weekly Spotify playlist of new music featured in the CMU Daily - updated every Friday.

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Danny Boyle to exec produce Alan McGee biopic
'Trainspotting' director Danny Boyle has been confirmed as the executive producer of Alan McGee biopic 'Creation Stories'. Based on the Creation Records founder's autobiography of the same name, the film has been co-written by 'Trainspotting' author Irving Welsh, and will star 'Trainspotting' actor Ewen Bremner in the lead role.

"It's like 'Trainspotting' does Creation", McGee tells the NME, somewhat unimaginatively. "There's one scene where there are two Sony executives fucking each other up the arse and I'm there watching. I think it's going to be quite funny".

The screenplay is co-written with Welsh by Dean Cavanagh and the film is being directed by Nick Moran, best known for his acting role in 'Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels'.

"I've been lucky to work with both Danny and Nick over the years and to have the two of them together on this project, along with Ewen, feels like a lottery win", Welsh tells The Hollywood Reporter.

Shooting is expected to begin in May.

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