Global Music Rights (GMR), a professional performing rights organization (PRO) in the United States representing Bruce Springsteen, Bruno Mars, Prince, Drake, Pharrell Williams, the John Lennon Estate, the Eagles, etc. Settled copyright infringement lawsuit against the state of Vermont. Broadcasting Association (VBA) applied in January.
Global Music Rights, founded in 2013 by Irving Azoff and longtime PRO executive Randy Grimmett, said the organization and VBA have reached an agreement that includes a long-term GMR license and a settlement of past infringement allegations. .
In January, GMR was sued in federal court in Vermont, alleging that seven VBA radio stations serving local communities in northern Vermont, New Hampshire and Quebec have been playing 66 songs from GMR's catalog without a license since 2017. filed a lawsuit. GMR further argued. In its filing, PRO said the agency racked up approximately 1,600 copyright violations, even though it submitted 10 separate written licenses during that period. “Defendants' infringement was neither incidental nor incidental,” the group's lawyer said in the complaint.
In response to the settlement agreement, GMR General Counsel Emio Zizza said in a statement: Through this litigation, we are achieving these efforts and look forward to our future licensing relationship with VBA. ”
VBA owner Bruce James confirmed the settlement agreement in an email, but did not immediately respond to a request for comment.