US: Judge Cote expands antitrust decree in Pandora music licensing case

US District Judge Denise Cote, who recently presided over the high profile Apple eBooks price-fixing case, ruled in favor of Internet music streaming service Pandora in a decision that stretches the breadth of a previously-established antitrust consent decree.

Reports say Judge Cote rejected a case launched by various music publishers looking to narrow a license given to Pandora. The existing decree, requiring the American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers to allow Pandora to play its works from 2011 to 2015, was found to “unambiguously” cover all of its music.

Further, said Judge Cote, the decree covers the licensing of all of the society’s pieces even if music publishers seek to take back the authority to license “new media” services, say reports.

Pandora is simultaneously involved in another case regarding the legal definition of “reasonable” licensing fees; Just Cote scheduled a December trial for that case.

Full Content: Reuters

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