Inside the AI Streaming Fraud Scandal: Michael Smith’s $10 Million Scheme

Sarah Gilbert — MEI Fellow On September 4, The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York released a press statement announcing the arrest of Michael Smith, a 52-year-old musician, who now faces charges of orchestrating a $10 million AI music streaming fraud. The press statement included the unsealed indictment which included three counts of criminal… Continue reading Inside the AI Streaming Fraud Scandal: Michael Smith’s $10 Million Scheme

Monopoly in Music: Understanding the DOJ’s Case Against Live Nation-Ticketmaster

Sarah Gilbert — MEI Fellow After much anticipation and a 18-month long investigation, on May 23, The Department of Justice, 30 states, and the district attorney general filed a civil antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation Entertainments and its subsidiary Ticketmaster. The Complaint alleges Live Nation and Ticketmaster have “engaged in numerous forms of anticompetitive conduct”… Continue reading Monopoly in Music: Understanding the DOJ’s Case Against Live Nation-Ticketmaster

Concert tickets as contracts: Madonna sued for breach of contract for concert delay

Sarah Gilbert — MEI Fellow In light of three recent lawsuits filed against the iconic popstar Madonna for starting her concert late, it’s an opportunity to revisit and evaluate Madonna’s history with similar lawsuits, as well as discuss the legal validity of these types of lawsuits.  1. Background In 2019, two separate suits were filed against Madonna,… Continue reading Concert tickets as contracts: Madonna sued for breach of contract for concert delay