This week, we learned that Lionel Richie filed to trademark the sound of his voice, joining Taylor Swift in a growing celebrity push to guard against AI deepfakes.
Meanwhile, the US Senate Judiciary Committee advanced the NO FAKES Act, a bill that could cost online platforms up to $750,000 per AI-generated deepfake.
Elsewhere, Reuters reported that Bertelsmann says the BMG/Concord deal has been cleared in the US.
Also this week, Midia Research reported that the global music streaming subscriber base reached 921.6 million at the end of 2025, with Spotify still out in front.
Plus, the Michael Jackson biopic Michael became the highest-grossing music biopic in history, overtaking Bohemian Rhapsody with more than $911 million at the global box office.
Here are some of the biggest headlines from the past few days…
1. LIONEL RICHIE FILES TO TRADEMARK THE SOUND OF HIS VOICE, FOLLOWING TAYLOR SWIFT AMID AI DEEPFAKE CRACKDOWN
Lionel Richie has applied to trademark the sound of his voice. The four-time Grammy winner filed four applications on Thursday (June 11) at the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Each application covers audio of Richie saying a phrase drawn from one of his songs, including Hello, is it me you’re looking for? as well as: Say You, Say Me, Easy Like Sunday Morning, and All Night Long… (MBW)
2. NO FAKES: SENATE PANEL BACKS BILL THAT COULD COST PLATFORMS $750K PER AI DEEPFAKE
The US Senate Judiciary Committee has advanced the NO FAKES Act, the bipartisan bill that would create a federal right protecting Americans’ voice and visual likeness from AI-generated deepfakes.
The committee passed the bill unanimously by voice vote on Thursday (June 18), according to Deadline, which noted that “three Republican senators — Mike Lee, Ted Cruz, and Eric Schmitt — raised First Amendment concerns”.
Clearing the committee sends the bill toward a vote by the full Senate, after which it would still need to pass the House of Representatives and be signed by the President before becoming law… (MBW)
3. BMG/CONCORD MERGER APPROVED BY COMPETITION AUTHORITIES IN UNITED STATES AND GERMANY (REPORT)
The proposed merger of BMG and Concord has been cleared by competition regulators in the United States and Germany. Germany’s competition regulatory agency, the Bundeskartellamt, officially cleared the deal on Friday (June 12).
Reuters reports that Bertelsmann said on Wednesday (June 17) that US competition authorities had also approved the merger… (MBW)
4. THE MUSIC INDUSTRY IS CLOSING IN ON A BILLION GLOBAL SUBSCRIBERS – WITH SPOTIFY OUT IN FRONT
The number of music streaming subscribers globally reached 921.6 million at the end of 2025, nearing the 1 billion mark. That is according to Midia Research, whose latest Music Subscriber Market Shares report estimates that the global subscriber count grew 10.1% YoY in 2025.
Spotify remained the largest music subscription service worldwide, holding a 31.4% share of global subscribers, according to Midia… (MBW)
5. MICHAEL BECOMES HIGHEST-GROSSING MUSIC BIOPIC IN HISTORY – OVERTAKING BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY WITH $911M+ AT GLOBAL BOX OFFICE
Michael, the Michael Jackson biopic, is now the highest-grossing music biopic in history, having grossed $911.9 million at the global box office to overtake Bohemian Rhapsody. Lionsgate confirmed the figure to Rolling Stone.
That total comprises $358.6 million domestically and $553.3 million from international markets and, as the studio noted, it does not yet include the film’s most recent weekend, meaning the record is still climbing… (MBW)
Partner message: MBW’s Weekly Round-up is supported by BMI, the global leader in performing rights management, dedicated to supporting songwriters, composers and publishers and championing the value of music. Find out more about BMI here. Music Business Worldwide
Music Business Worldwide Weekly Round-up Summary
Overview: This week’s highlights from Music Business Worldwide cover significant developments in the music industry, including celebrity trademark filings, legislative advancements against AI deepfakes, a major merger approval, growth in music streaming subscribers, and the record-breaking success of a music biopic.
1. Lionel Richie and AI Deepfake Protection
Lionel Richie has taken a significant step in protecting his artistic identity by filing to trademark the sound of his voice. This move, made on June 11, involves applications for audio clips that include iconic phrases from his songs, such as “Hello, is it me you’re looking for?” and “All Night Long.” This initiative parallels Taylor Swift’s efforts to safeguard her voice against potential misuse by AI technologies, particularly deepfakes, which have become a growing concern in the entertainment sector.
2. NO FAKES Act Progression
The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee has unanimously advanced the NO FAKES Act, a bipartisan bill designed to protect individuals’ voice and image rights from unauthorized AI-generated deepfakes. If passed, this legislation could impose significant financial penalties on online platforms, potentially costing them up to $750,000 per infringing deepfake. While the bill has received broad support, some Republican senators expressed concerns regarding First Amendment implications. The bill must now pass a full Senate vote, followed by approval from the House of Representatives and the President before it can become law.
3. BMG and Concord Merger Approval
In corporate news, the proposed merger between BMG and Concord has received approval from competition regulators in both the United States and Germany. The Bundeskartellamt in Germany confirmed the merger’s clearance, while Bertelsmann announced that U.S. authorities have also approved the deal. This merger marks a significant consolidation in the music industry, allowing both entities to expand their market presence and operational capabilities.
4. Growth in Music Streaming Subscribers
According to Midia Research, the global music streaming subscriber base has reached approximately 921.6 million by the end of 2025, indicating a robust growth trajectory towards the billion-subscriber milestone. This represents an annual growth rate of 10.1%. Spotify remains the dominant player in the market, capturing a 31.4% share of global subscribers. This growth reflects the increasing popularity of music streaming services and their integral role in the modern music business model.
5. Michael Jackson Biopic Breaks Records
The biopic titled « Michael, » focused on the life of Michael Jackson, has set a new benchmark by becoming the highest-grossing music biopic of all time, grossing over $911 million globally. This figure surpasses the previous record held by « Bohemian Rhapsody. » The film has earned approximately $358.6 million in the domestic market and $553.3 million internationally, with its box office total still on the rise. This success underscores the enduring appeal of Jackson’s legacy and the effectiveness of biographical films in attracting audiences.
Conclusion: This week in the music industry has been marked by pivotal developments that reflect both the challenges and growth opportunities within the sector. From legal protections against AI misuse to significant corporate mergers and record-breaking box office performances, these stories highlight the dynamic nature of the music business landscape. As the industry continues to evolve, stakeholders from artists to corporations will need to navigate these changes effectively to thrive in a rapidly shifting environment.
