TuneCore

In this article we are going to explore in depth the topic of TuneCore, a topic that has captured the attention of millions of people around the world. From its historical relevance to its impact on modern society, TuneCore has been the subject of debates and discussions in different areas. Throughout these pages, we will analyze its origins, evolution and its influence on various aspects of daily life. From his manifestations in popular culture to his involvement in political and social issues, TuneCore has left an indelible mark that deserves to be explored in detail. In addition, we will address the different perspectives and opinions about TuneCore, in order to offer a comprehensive and complete vision of this phenomenon.

TuneCore
Company typePublic Company Subsidiary
IndustryMusic
GenreDigital distribution
Music publishing[1]
Founded2006
FounderJeff Price, Gary Burke, Peter Wells
Headquarters
New York City
,
United States of America
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Matt Barrington (COO),[2]
Andreea Gleeson (CEO),[3]
Brian Miller (CRO),[4]
Lucy Huang (CTO & CPO)[5]
ProductsOnline Music Distribution
Music Publishing Administration[1]
ServicesOpen platform music distribution and publishing administration.
ParentBelieve Music
Websitewww.tunecore.com

TuneCore is a Brooklyn, New York–based digital music distribution, publishing and licensing service founded in 2006.[6] It was acquired by Believe Music in April 2015.

TuneCore distributes music through online retailers such as iTunes, Deezer, Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music, Google Play, Tidal, Beatport and others.[7][8] TuneCore also offers music publishing administration services, helping songwriters record their compositions and earn royalties internationally.[9] TuneCore has been sued twice for copyright infringement; the first lawsuit was settled out of court, and the second is ongoing.[10]

History

Founding to 2014

TuneCore was founded in 2006 by Jeff Price, Gary Burke, and Peter Wells.

TuneCore's first customer was Frank Black, lead singer of the Pixies.[11] In December 2006, music instrument and equipment retailer Guitar Center bought a stake in TuneCore, giving the company access to the music retailer's customers.[12]

In 2008, TuneCore was utilized by Nine Inch Nails to deliver the music from their album, Ghosts I–IV, to the Amazon MP3 store.[13]

TuneCore fired Jeff Price, a co-founder and then-CEO, after the company faced a "cash-flow" crisis in 2012. Price has sued TuneCore for severance compensation and alleged that the company may have been insolvent, an accusation that the company appears to dispute.[14]

Acquisition by Believe to present

TuneCore was acquired by Denis Ladegaillerie's Believe in April 2015.[15] The acquisition opened up artists' access to Believe Digital's wider distribution network and label services. Both of the companies remained operationally separate, while jointly claiming to represent 25 to 30 percent of the new music uploaded to iTunes each day. After the acquisition, TuneCore and Believe used their newly increased leverage in negotiations with digital services including Spotify and Tidal to improve their services for their artists.[16]

Also in 2015, TuneCore expanded its presence in the UK[17] and Australia[18] announcing dedicated websites, including localized currency and content for each region.[19] It also introduced its YouTube Sound Recording service to collect revenue for artists when their sound recordings are used anywhere on YouTube.[20]

In September 2015, TuneCore stepped up its live event offerings, throwing LA's independent music community its first ever Indie Artist Forum, focusing on educating and fostering collaboration amongst aspiring professional musicians while engaging on a dialog around the ins and outs of the current landscape of the independent music business.[21][22][23]

On July 7, 2020, TuneCore expanded its presence in India announcing dedicated website including localized currency and content.[24]

In 2021, Andreea Gleeson became the company's Chief Executive Officer.[3][25]

In the United States, TuneCore represents approximately 10 percent of the 20 million songs on iTunes, and it accounts for almost 4 percent of all digital sales.[26][27]

TuneCore has garnered media attention from ABC's World News Tonight,[28] The Daily Mirror,[29] and Pitchfork.[30]

In multiple instances, TuneCore's services have been used to commit copyright fraud through online services like iTunes, Spotify, and YouTube. In 2019, Pitchfork reported that people had used independent distribution companies, including TuneCore, to upload unreleased tracks by Playboi Carti and Lil Uzi Vert to Spotify. Plays of these tracks resulted in revenue going to the uploaders rather than the original owners of the music.[31] In 2020, TuneCore was sued by Round Hill Music for uploading and collecting revenue from iTunes for compositions owned by Round Hill.[32] TuneCore and Round Hill Music later settled out of court.[10] In November 2024, Universal Music Group, ABKCO Records, and Concord Music filed a lawsuit seeking $500 billion in damages for TuneCore's distribution of copyright-infringing remixes of popular tracks.[33][10]

References

  1. ^ a b "TuneCore Names Jamie Purpora President of Music Publishing Administration" (PDF). TuneCore. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  2. ^ Ingham, Tim (30 September 2020). "TuneCore's new leadership: Andreea Gleeson and Matt Barrington to jointly run company following departure of CEO". Music Business Worldwide. Retrieved 4 February 2025.
  3. ^ a b Singleton, Micah (25 August 2021). "TuneCore Promotes Andreea Gleeson to CEO". Billboard. Retrieved 4 February 2025.
  4. ^ Stassen, Murray (7 December 2023). "Brian Miller Appointed Chief Revenue Officer at TuneCore". Music Business Worldwide. Retrieved 18 January 2025.
  5. ^ Stassen, Murray (19 November 2024). "Lucy Huang Appointed Chief Technology & Product Officer at TuneCore". Music Business Worldwide. Retrieved 18 January 2025.
  6. ^ "Company Overview of TuneCore, Inc". Bloomberg.
  7. ^ "What stores does TuneCore distribute music to and where in the world are they available?". TuneCore. 8 October 2011. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  8. ^ "TuneCore and Beatport strike partnership to extend self-releasing artists' reach to DJs, dance music producers". Music Business Worldwide. 2023-04-26. Retrieved 2023-06-22.
  9. ^ "TuneCore and Sub-Publisher Agreements For Songwriters - Music Connection Magazine". www.musicconnection.com. 2013-01-28. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  10. ^ a b c Dalugdug, Mandy (5 November 2024). "UMG sues Believe and TuneCore for $500 million, alleging 'industrial-scale copyright infringement'". Music Business Worldwide. Retrieved 5 February 2025.
  11. ^ "New Service Brings iTunes to Indie Artists". Spin. January 19, 2006. Retrieved 2006-08-11.
  12. ^ Bruno, Antony (2009-07-09). "TuneCore, UMG Ink Services Deal". Billboard. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
  13. ^ Harding, Cortney; Cohen, Jonathan (March 2, 2008). "New Nine Inch Nails Album Hits The Web". Billboard. Retrieved March 10, 2008.
  14. ^ "Inside Former CEO Jeff Price's Ouster from TuneCore: 'A Tale of Betrayal and Ego'". Billboard. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  15. ^ "Believe Digital Acquires TuneCore..." Digital Music News. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  16. ^ Flanagan, Andrew (16 April 2015). "TuneCore and Believe Digital Partner to Argue for Better Streaming Rates, Offer Clients a Wider World". Billboard.
  17. ^ "TuneCore Expands To UK". Hypebot.com. September 2015. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  18. ^ "Tunecore launches in Australia". Hypebot.com. November 2015. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  19. ^ Peoples, Glenn (1 September 2015). "TuneCore Launches in the U.K." Billboard.
  20. ^ Hassan, Charlotte (15 February 2016). "YouTube Royalties Exploded 370% Last Year, Tunecore Reports". Digital Music News.
  21. ^ "INSIDE TUNECORE'S INDIE ARTIST FORUM".
  22. ^ "Overheard @ The Tunecore Indie Artist Forum". Hypebot.com.
  23. ^ "TuneCore Hosts Inaugural Indie Artist Forum With Peter Asher, Bonnie McKee". Allaccess.com. 3 September 2015.
  24. ^ "TuneCore Launches in India". TuneCore. July 7, 2020. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  25. ^ "TuneCore, which paid out over $400m to indie artists last year, has a new CEO: Andreea Gleeson". Music Business Worldwide. 2021-08-25. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
  26. ^ SISARIO, BEN (May 6, 2012). "Out to Shake Up Music, Often With Sharp Words". The New York Times.
  27. ^ Lazarowitz, Elizabeth (November 25, 2007). "Brooklyn-based Web business helps sell music in the digital world". Daily News. Retrieved November 27, 2007.
  28. ^ "TuneCore and the Music Revolution" (video). ABC. Retrieved 2006-08-04.
  29. ^ "DOES TUNECORE SOUND THE END FOR LABELS?". The Daily Mirror. Retrieved 2006-08-03.
  30. ^ Solarski, Matthew (April 13, 2006). "TuneCore Helps Indie Acts Go Digital for Cheap". pitchforkmedia. Retrieved 3 January 2009.
  31. ^ Yoo, Noah (21 August 2019). "How Artist Imposters and Fake Songs Sneak Onto Streaming Services". Pitchfork.
  32. ^ Ingham, Tim (3 August 2020). "Round Hill sues TuneCore and Parent Believe in $32.8M US Lawsuit, Alleging Copyright Infringement". Music Business Worldwide.
  33. ^ Maddaus, Gene (2024-11-05). "Universal Music Accuses Rival of Rampant Piracy Via Knockoff Tracks by 'Kendrik Laamar' and 'Llady Gaga'". Variety. Retrieved 2025-02-08.