The Guardian
trending topics
Close Box

Our news

Yes, it’s true: We are joining GigaOM...


EMI and Infospace Reach Settlement on Ringtone Royalties Lawsuit

  • Comments Comments (View)
  • Text Size: A A

EMI, in the midst of its own management reorg, has settled its ringtone royalties lawsuit with Infospace, though the terms were not disclosed. It did disclose the settlement in an SEC filing late yesterday. Infospace was sued by the music label in early 2007, to the tune of $100 million for underpaying royalties on using its music for ringtones. At that time it alleged that Infospace and its then-subsidiaries Moviso and Premium Wireless Services had been underpaying royalties and selling ringtones for songs to which they held no licensing rights…EMI’s publishing also alleged InfoSpace (NSDQ: INSP) was selling expressly restricted songs, such as John Lennon’s “Imagine,” and selling ringtones in worldwide markets where it had not been granted license. Since then Infospace has closed down or disposed off its mobile content related businesses.

SEE ALSO: EMI Modifies Ringtone Lawsuit Against Infospace; Asking For Lower Damages

EMI changed some parts of the lawsuit in August, and asked for lower damages. Infospace had filed a counterclaim. According to the SEC filing: “The EMI Parties charged that the Company breached two ringtone license agreements by underpaying royalties and infringed the EMI Parties’ copyrights by making unlicensed use of the EMI Parties’ works. The EMI Parties claimed in excess of $10 million in damages for the alleged breaches of contract, and claimed statutory damages for alleged copyright infringement of ‘many millions’ of dollars. The Company denied the EMI Parties’ allegations and counterclaimed for no less than $1.5 million based upon the EMI Parties’ alleged breach of contract and tortious interference.”

As for the settlement: “The Settlement Agreement concludes the EMI Litigation, and InfoSpace does not expect that the settlement reached with the EMI Parties pursuant to the Settlement Agreement will materially and adversely affect the Company’s business or results of operations.”

Jul 4, 2008 1:54 PM ET

Posted In: Entertainment, Music, Legal, Companies, EMI, InfoSpace

(Page 1 of 1)


The Bestsellers

From iTunes and YouTube to Facebook and Kindle, the most popular content on the web, free and paid.

Kindle (Free) Kindle (Free)
1. Keeper, The (Stoney Ridge Seasons)
2. Abducted (Lizzy Gardner Series #1)
3. Chosen (The Chosen #1)
4. SING ME HOME (Love Finds A Home -…
5. Silent Kills
See The Other Bestsellers »

Jobs RSS Job Listings

Social Standing

Which media brands are getting a lift from Tweeters and bloggers right now -- and which are getting panned?

"Sentiment" Scores for All the Companies »

Sponsors

Staff