Judge Sides With Global Music Rights On Lawsuit Jurisdiction In California

Court Victory

A federal court in the EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA has ruled that the antitrust suit brought by RADIO MUSIC LICENSE COMMITTEE (RMLC) against GLOBAL MUSIC RIGHTS should be held in the CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA, where GMR is held -- and not in PENNSYLVANIA. Global filed its own antitrust suit in CALIFORNIA, alleging that the RMLC’s 10,000-member stations are improperly colluding to suppress payments to songwriters, but has been on hold pending the results of the Pennsylvania case. 

“I am thrilled with today’s victory,” GLOBAL MUSIC RIGHTS Founder IRVING AZOFF said. “Now GLOBAL MUSIC RIGHTS gets to expose the radio cartel’s bullying tactics.  It’s always worth the wait when artists win.”

The ruling by U.S. DISTRICT COURT Judge C. DARNELL JONES, II, did not resolve the underlying disagreements between the two parties, bit it did largely affirm the 2017 report and recommendation of U.S. Magistrate Judge LYNNE SITARSKI, who concluded that the RMLC suit was filed in PENNSYLVANIA solely for tactical advantage. 

“GLOBAL MUSIC RIGHTS is an innovator in music rights and a tireless defender of music creators," GMR lead attorney DANIEL PETROCELLI said. "We are gratified with Judge JONES’ clear ruling that RMLC’s lawsuit was improperly filed in PENNSYLVANIA. That decision clears the path for GLOBAL MUSIC RIGHTS to prosecute its case in CALIFORNIA against the RMLC for unlawful boycotting and pricing activity.”

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