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US: SESAC wants final approval on $58.5 million settlement

By  |  January 29, 2015

Performance rights organization SESAC and a group of local TV stations have asked a New York federal judge to move up a hearing that will likely mean the end of a long-running antitrust dispute.

In 2009, Meredith Corp. and Scripps Media brought a class action lawsuit that charged SESAC with unlawfully using its monopoly power to force TV stations into paying high fees to clear music in syndicated television shows. SESAC agreed to pay out $58.5 million to settle the lawsuit, including $16 million in attorney’s fees and expenses.

U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer has already given preliminary approval to the settlement, and according to a letter submitted to the judge late last week, there hasn’t been any objection from a class member. A hearing was scheduled on March 13 for final approval, but the parties appear ready to get the judge’s ultimate nod as quickly as possible.

Full Content: Billboard

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