SOUNDEXCHANGE WINS SLACKER SUIT

The digital media company Slacker and its parent, LiveOne, have been ordered to fork over $9.7m to SoundExchange to recover unpaid royalties owed to performers and rights owners.

The U.S. District Court for the Central District of California also permanently barred Slacker and LiveOne from using their statutory license, which allows non-interactive digital music streaming services to play music in return for monthly payments.

“SoundExchange takes our role in defending fair compensation for creators seriously. Despite a prior agreement, multiple promises and repeated negotiations, Slacker and LiveOne failed to pay properly for the music on which the companies built their business model,” SoundExchange President and CEO Michael Huppe said. “It is regrettable that this step became necessary, but we will not back down when it comes to protecting creators and ensuring they are well represented and properly paid under the law. We are grateful for the court’s recognition of the value proposition and this judgment in our favor.”