Volume VI

Issue : 10: May 15, 2008

• U.S. Court Sets Formula for Online Music Royalties
• Court Issues Split Decision In Lucent Microsoft Patent Row
• Manitoba Teen Charged with Impersonating Teacher on Facebook
• Amazon Sues New York State over Requirement to Collect Sales Tax
• Apple Settles Canadian iPod Class Actions
• Social Networking Websites Effective Tools of Communications in Emergencies
• Court Rules No Likelihood of Confusion with Use of Competitors Trademarks in Metatags
• Bell Canada Hit with Privacy Complaint over Deep Packet Inspection
• Plaintiffs Facebook Use Undermines Her Litigation Position
• Ontario Court Issues Decision on E Discovery Citing the Sedona Principles

Home > Volume VI > Issue 10: May 15, 2008 > U.S. Court Sets Formula for Online Music Royalties

U.S. Court Sets Formula for Online Music Royalties

In a recent ruling, a U.S. federal judge has set a formula for the royalties to be paid to the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) by AOL, Yahoo and RealNetworks for the online performance of musical works in the ASCAP repertory. Based on the formula, ASCAP, which represents 320,000 music composers, writers and publishers, will be entitled to royalties for its members of up to 2.5% of the music-related revenues of AOL, Yahoo and RealNetworks. The decision applies to the period starting as far back as July 1, 2002, and continuing through December 31, 2009. As a result, it is contemplated that these three major on-line services could be required to pay license fees of up to $100 million, depending on how much music they stream over the Internet.

For additional information, visit:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120959909400857751.html