(UPDATED) Just 5 days after Google, Apple's Beats, Sony, Rdio, Songza, Slacker and Grooveshark were served with simultaneously filed lawsuits alleging exploitation of pre-1972 sound recordings without license or payment, the case against music streamer Rdio has been dismissed.
Attorneys, on behalf of Zenbu Media – the owners of recordings from The Flying Burrito Brothers, Hot Tuna, the New Riders of the Purple Sage and others – filed the lawsuits and requested class action status. These new filings followed similar lawsuits from Flo & Eddie (The Turtles) against SiriusXM, Pandora and others over a loophole that many music services have used to not make the usual payments for use of recordings released prior to 1972. The majority of the court findings have favored the musicians.
“We’re pleased the lawsuit was dismissed." reads a statement from Rdio sent to Hypebot Tuesday evening. "Rdio respects copyright and is committed to compensating artists for their creative works and pays royalties for all songs we offer.”
A request for clarification – is Rdio paying on pre-1972 recordings, for example – has not yet been answered. We'll update you here of Rdio does respond.
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