Pandora to Pay $90 Million to Settle With Labels Over Pre-1972 Songs

Advertisement
By Agence France-Presse | Updated: 23 October 2015 10:32 IST
Internet radio leader Pandora on Thursday announced a $90 million (roughly Rs. 583 crores) settlement with music labels for playing songs dating before US copyright law took shape in 1972.

The deal follows a similar settlement by satellite radio provider Sirius XM, which agreed in June to pay $210 million (roughly Rs. 1,362 crores) over pre-1972 songs.

Cary Sherman, chairman of the Recording Industry Association of America, called the latest deal "a significant milestone and a big win for the music community."

"Major settlements with Sirius XM and now Pandora means that an iconic generation of artists and the labels that supported them will be paid for the use of their creative works," he said in a statement.

Advertisement

US federal law protecting copyright only applies to music recorded on or after February 15, 1972.

Individual US states have their own copyright protections, but Pandora and Sirius XM without the fixed addresses and reach of traditional radio stations had argued that they were exempt.

Pandora said it was reaching the settlement, whose details were not disclosed, with labels including the three major conglomerates - Sony, Universal and Warner.

Advertisement

Brian McAndrews, CEO of Pandora, said in the statement that the Internet radio station wanted a "better, collaborative relationship" with the labels.

"Together we share a common objective to grow the music industry and support artists," he said.

Advertisement

Sirius XM and Pandora came in the crosshairs of legal action after a California judge last year agreed that state law protected pre-1972 copyright for songs.

The judge's ruling came as part of a campaign for past compensation led by members of The Turtles, the band best known for the 1967 hit "Happy Together."

 

Catch the latest from the Consumer Electronics Show on Gadgets 360, at our CES 2026 hub.

Advertisement

Related Stories

Popular Mobile Brands
  1. Dhurandhar OTT Release Date Update: When and Where to Watch it Online?
  2. Realme Neo 8 Launched With 8,000mAh Battery: See Price, Features
  3. YouTube Takes on OpenAI's Sora With AI-Generated Shorts Feature
  4. OnePlus 15T Spotted on Certification Site, Charging Details Revealed
  5. Here's When the Redmi Note 15 Pro and Note 15 Pro+ Will Launch in India
  6. Ubisoft Cancels Prince of Persia: Sands of Time Remake, Delays 7 Games
  7. Apple Asks Delhi High Court to Stop CCI From Seeking Its Financials
  8. NexDeck's New Smartphone Lets You Boot Android 16, Linux and Windows 11
  9. Google Pixel 10a Spotted With Familiar Design in Leaked Renders
  10. Top Last Minute Deals on Smartphones, Smart TVs and Home Appliances
  1. Realme Neo 8 Launched With Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 Chip, 8,000mAh Battery: Price, Features
  2. Apple Asks Delhi High Court to Stop Competition Commission of India From Seeking Its Financials
  3. Amazon Great Republic Day Sale: Top Last Minute Deals on Smartphones, Smart TVs and Home Appliances
  4. Amazon Great Republic Day Sale: Best Deals on Robot Vacuum Cleaners
  5. OnePlus 15T Lands on 3C Certification Database Ahead of Launch in China: Expected Specifications
  6. Crimson Desert Has Officially Gone Gold, Launch Set for March 19
  7. Acer Chromebook Spin 311, Chromebook 311 Launched With MediaTek Kompanio 540 CPU: Price, Features
  8. Samsung Galaxy S26+ Bags 3C Certification; Might Not Launch With Charging Upgrade
  9. Apple Could Turn Siri Into an AI Chatbot to Rival OpenAI, Google: Report
  10. Powerful X-Class Solar Flare Sends CME Toward Earth, Storms Possible
Gadgets 360 is available in
Download Our Apps
Available in Hindi
© Copyright Red Pixels Ventures Limited 2026. All rights reserved.