SONY/ATV OFFERS SAMPLERS AMNESTY

Sony/ATV has decided to grant amnesty to sampling scofflaws. As of Sept. 1, any artist who has used a sample from the giant pubco’s EMI Production Music division without first clearing it will have a six-month window to 'fess up, The Guardian reports. Sony/ATV will then do a licensing deal, at current market rates, for future exploitation of the works but will not seek retrospective royalties for past sales or exploitations, no matter how many years back they might stretch. In other words, come forward with cash in hand and all will be forgiven. Fair enough.