Ozzy Osbourne’s Farewell, Brazil’s Streaming Fraud Ruling, and UK Songwriter Reforms
How The Music Business Works - Issue #21
July 24, 2025
Welcome back to How The Music Business Works!
This week’s roundup marks major shifts in music and policy.
Ozzy Osbourne’s farewell concert set a charity record just weeks before his passing. In Brazil, a court ruling struck a blow against streaming fraud. The UK launched new initiatives to support songwriters, while U.S. lawmakers target unauthorized AI training. Meanwhile, Italy’s live music sector hit record revenue despite concerns over large-scale shows.
Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath Frontman and Heavy Metal Pioneer, Dies Aged 76
Heavy metal icon Ozzy Osbourne has died at 76, just 17 days after his emotional farewell concert in Birmingham. The Black Sabbath frontman helped invent heavy metal and sold over 100 million records across his legendary career. His final show, Back to the Beginning, raised over $200 million for Parkinson’s research and children’s charities, making it the highest-grossing charity concert ever. The performance, featuring both solo hits and a Black Sabbath reunion, served as a powerful and heartfelt goodbye to one of rock’s greatest figures.
A São Paulo court has ruled against Seguidores Marketing Digital, ordering the company to stop selling fake followers, likes, and streams on platforms like Spotify and YouTube. The decision is the first under Operation Authentica, a major anti-streaming fraud effort led by Brazilian authorities and supported by IFPI and Pro-Música Brasil. Seguidores was found guilty of misleading advertising and consumer fraud and must suspend its services and domain names. The ruling follows broader crackdowns on streaming manipulation across Brazil, including the disruption of over 40 local sites and thousands of international resellers.
Songwriters to Get Per Diems as Part of Creator Remuneration Package
The UK government has announced two new initiatives by record labels aimed at improving creator pay: per diems for songwriters attending label-organized sessions and support for legacy artists seeking to renegotiate outdated deals. Labels will also offer tailored marketing tools to boost older catalogs. The measures stem from a broader effort to address streaming-era pay issues following Parliament’s 2021 music streaming inquiry. While industry groups like the Ivors Academy and BPI welcomed the steps, the Council of Music Makers says more must be done, calling for deeper reforms to fix long-standing structural inequities. The government will review the impact of these initiatives after one year.
Senators Introduce Bipartisan Bill Targeting Unauthorized Artificial Intelligence Training
U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Josh Hawley have introduced the AI Accountability and Personal Data Protection Act, aiming to hold tech companies accountable for using creators’ copyrighted works and personal data without consent. The bill allows individuals to sue AI developers for unauthorized use of their content or likeness, even if the work isn’t formally registered with the Copyright Office. The legislation also bans forced arbitration and invalid forms of consent, paving the way for class action lawsuits. Music industry groups, including the Nashville Songwriters Association, have voiced strong support, calling it a major step in protecting creators from generative AI exploitation.
Italy’s Live Music Sector Generated €989.3m of Revenue in 2024
Italian collecting society SIAE reports that music concerts in Italy grew to 65,515 in 2023, attracting 29 million attendees and generating a record €989.3 million in revenue. While overall concert numbers and reach expanded—especially into smaller regions—growth in revenue was modest at 1.4%. Pop, rock, and easy listening made up the majority of concerts and attendance. However, large-scale shows saw a drop, with attendance down 10.4% and spending down 7.5%, raising concerns about the sustainability of big live events.