Rights-tech platform ClicknClear has signed a global licensing agreement with Universal Music Group (UMG), providing athletes with the ability to license music from UMG’s repertoire to accompany choreographed routines in a wide variety of sport. "While sporting venues generally clear the public performance of music at events, to date there has been no online platform offering athletes a route to obtain the rights required to use music in choreographed routines," explained ClicknClear, which has...

Independent production music company Sonoton Music is launching a VIP sample curation service, named Sample People, which will function as an invite-only VIP club. Members of the club will receive a curated playlist service, easy clearance to sample tracks from Sonoton’s library and pre-sorted, timed and quantised loops. The service will launch "in the first few months of this year," "Sonoton is working through its entire catalogue of archive material and new recordings to create loop packs spec...

The UK's Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA) has appointed Simon Hutson as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective 9 February 2026. Hutson joins from The Savings Group, where he was leading commercial activity, "Simon brings a deep understanding of licensing and copyright, alongside a genuine commitment to creators and publishers," said the CLA in a statement. His career includes leadership roles at organisations such as the BBC, Reuters and Cision. “I’m excited to be joining CLA at such a pivo...