iWorld
Gema – YouTube conflict resolved
MUMBAI: The long running legal tussle between YouTube and the German IP right body Gema that represents artists and publishers has finally resolved, according to international media.
Since 2009, several affected clips and videos, including those carrying conflicted background music, returned an error message on the video on demand platform, when users tried to access it.
Now that the payments will be made, these videos will be accessible to users although neither side has disclosed the terms.red banners that had prevented thousands of YouTube’s clips from playing in Germany have now been removed as a consequence.
And, as per Google’s Content ID system, clips containing Gema-protected tracks can now have adverts automatically added to them to recompense the songs’ creators.
YouTube’s head of international music partnerships Christophe Muller shared in a blog that it was a win for music artistes around the world, enabling them to reach new and existing fans in Germany… and for YouTube users in Germany, who will no longer see a blocking message on music content.
However, Gema officials remain skeptical on whether YouTube or the person uploading a clip was ultimately responsible for licensing the music it contained but termed the new agreement with the VOD giant as a”milestone”.
Gema chief executive Harald Heker told media that they remained true to their position that authors should also get a fair remuneration in the digital age, despite the resistance that they met.
(source: BBC news)
iWorld
Airtel names Aritra Mukherjee head of marketing
Former Vodafone executive to lead Airtel’s marketing push
PUNE: Bharti Airtel has elevated Aritra Mukherjee to head of marketing, promoting an internal leader who has played a key role in expanding the company’s prepaid business over the past four years.
Mukherjee, based in Pune, most recently served as general manager – prepaid growth, where he was instrumental in driving portfolio expansion, sharpening consumer strategy and supporting revenue growth. He joined Airtel as senior manager – business planning and consumer insights and rose through the ranks as the company strengthened its data-led approach to customer acquisition and retention.
Before joining Airtel, Mukherjee held marketing roles at Vodafone Idea and Vodafone, and earlier worked with Idea Cellular. His career also includes stints at Capgemini and Tata Consultancy Services.
With experience spanning telecom marketing, prepaid growth strategy, enterprise accounts and business planning, Mukherjee brings a blend of analytics-driven insight and commercial leadership to Airtel’s top marketing role, as competition intensifies across India’s telecom market.
