The New York Times did valuable work exposing David Sacks as Trump’s A.I. and crypto czar, blurring the line between public power and private profit. But they buried the lede. The real story isn’t just corruption around chips and waivers
The Trichordist
The Trichordist focuses on issues at the intersection of music, technology, and law, particularly advocating for musicians' rights and fair compensation in the digital age. It covers topics such as music copyright enforcement, legislative efforts like the American Music Fairness Act, and the impact of artificial intelligence policies on artists and the music industry. The blog also critiques government actions and corporate influence that affect state protections and artist advocacy. Additionally, it reports on developments in music policy, digital rights management, and ticketing reform, emphasizing the challenges and legal battles faced by creators in the evolving digital marketplace.
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@ArtistRights Institute Newsletter 11/17/25: Highlights from a fast-moving week in music policy, AI oversight, and artist advocacy.
A busy week across music rights, AI policy, and ticketing reform. From the American Music Fairness Act and the latest reporting on Trump’s draft AI Executive Order—now including an unprecedented DOJ directive to sue states—to deep dives on the Bartz…
It’s Back: The National Defense Authorization Act Is No Place for a Backroom AI Moratorium
Congress should not use the NDAA as a vehicle for secretly imposing a federal AI moratorium that strips states of the power to protect their citizens–or fundraise off of it for 2028 campains.
What We Know—and Don’t Know—About Spotify and NMPA’s “Opt-In” Audiovisual Deal
Spotify’s “opt-in” audiovisual deal with the National Music Publishers’ Association raises more questions than it answers. Announced for NMPA members only, the program offers undisclosed “higher royalties” for U.S. music-video uses while majors keep their own direct deals with advances…
@DavidSacks Isn’t a Neutral Observer—He’s an Architect of the AI Circular-Investment Maze
The AI giants aren’t just propping each other up with circular investments—they’re using those inflated valuations to bankroll litigation and lobbying designed to strip-mine culture. As Nvidia, Microsoft, and OpenAI cycle the same trillion-dollar capital through each other, they’re also…
Less Than Zero: The Significance of the Per Stream Rate and Why It Matters
Spotify’s refusal to discuss per-stream value shows just how far it’s drifted from the artists whose music built its business. Spotify deflects blame to labels, it ignores the obvious truth: the platform defines the pool itself. In the age of…
The Dickensian Math of Touring in a Streaming Era
David breaks down the math of touring in the libraated era of streaming