Tech news picked on 2026-07-20
Sony's attempt to add 30,000 tracks was blocked, but the real weapon aimed at Udio is different
- Sony Music tried to add 30,442 tracks to its copyright lawsuit against Udio but was denied by the Southern District Court of New York, so the lawsuit remains limited to 333 tracks.
- Universal and Warner settled the lawsuit through licensing agreements, leaving only Sony remaining.
- The real issue is not the number of tracks but the allegation of DMCA circumvention aimed at YouTube stream ripping.
- When dealing with generative music, where and how the data was obtained could trip up the case even before fair use debates.
Cards and ACH Assume Humans, Agent Payment Rails Target Stripe's Weakness
- Natural, which builds agent payment rails, raised $30 million in a Series A led by Forerunner, with a post-money valuation around $150 million.
- Cards and ACH are designed assuming human approval, so autonomous agents have no way to pay on their own.
- While approval can be solved with technology, liability and refunds are not defined in code.
- The company that convinces who and how to protect in case of incidents will win this game.
Seizing Opportunities in AI and Deep Tech
- There is news that deep tech startups in Daejeon are pushing to enter the Japanese market.
- Rather than big numbers like AI market forecasts, what stands out is that the Daejeon Center and Seven Star Partners have tied together mentoring and a joint fund.
- The situation where new memberships are closed due to overwhelming interest is also intriguing.
- A scenario where doors close because of excessive demand is something market size forecasts do not reveal in advance.
What Happens to Current Encryption When Quantum Computing Arrives
- Forcepoint introduced its AI-based asset visibility platform and security strategies for the quantum era at the Seoul roadshow.
- Vendors talk about the quantum era because they have products to sell, but the article does not provide evidence that current encryption must be overhauled now.
- For small security teams, rather than developing new products claiming quantum readiness, addressing current gaps such as customers not knowing where and how many assets they have is a more realistic market approach.
Collaboration and Global Expansion for Startups
- This article ties open innovation and overseas expansion strategies as opportunities for startups.
- Joining a collaboration program and making overseas plans do not necessarily open the path to growth.
- It is essential to first clarify the resources the partner will provide, the rights that remain with us, and the personal responsibilities the founders will bear.
- If the cooperation involves unclear verification and contract terms, sometimes it's better to let it go rather than rush.