Elevate your local knowledge

Sign up for the iNFOnews newsletter today!

Select Region

Selecting your primary region ensures you get the stories that matter to you first.

Judge leaves Pandora songwriter royalty rate unchanged

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – A federal judge in New York has left the rate that Pandora must pay songwriters unchanged at 1.85 per cent of revenue for the next two years.

That’s according to ASCAP — the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers — which collects royalties for some 500,000 artists and publishers in the U.S.

ASCAP says Judge Denise Cote of the U.S. District Court in New York made the ruling Friday. Court filings show her order and opinion was filed under seal.

ASCAP Chief Executive John LoFrumento said in a statement that the market rate for Internet radio is substantially higher than 1.85 per cent and said the ruling demonstrates the need for regulatory reform.

Pandora Media Inc. declined to comment until the ruling is publicly released, which could occur next week.

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.