New York – XM Satellite Radio will pay $3.6 million to
settle a 2006 lawsuit from independent record labels, over tracks played on
devices like the Pioneer Inno that let users record and replay satellite radio
broadcasts.
The major record labels brought similar litigation against XM (now Sirius XM Radio (NASD: SIRI)), and
settled those suits between 2007 and 2008.
XM’s new class action settlement is
with Merlin, an organization that represents the interests of many independent
record labels, and covers songs transmitted between 2006 and 2010.
"This
is an important settlement, not just for Merlin’s members, but also, I am
pleased to say, for the independent community at large," said Merlin CEO Charles
Caldas.
"This announcement underlines the value that Merlin has brought to
its members by creating a body that ensures that they, and not just the major
labels, have the opportunity to benefit from settlements such as this
one."
Related Links:
http://www.merlinnetwork.org
http://tinyurl.com/42nmh4a
(DMW previous coverage)
