Record Companies Sue XM Over Device
May 16, 2006
Today a lawsuit against XM was announced by record companies. At issue is the new XM devices such as the Pioneer Inno, Samsung Helix, and Samsung Nexus devices. the issue at hand revolves around the music industry wanting addition fees for these devices, and the "Fair Use" law. The labels are seeking $150,000 per song that has been dowladed on the devices. XM states that they will defend the suit vigorously for consumers. SSG will be doing follow-up pieces this evening, so keep checking back. Below is the story via Reuters.
Record labels sue XM over portable device
Tue May 16, 2006 8:54 PM ET
By Sue Zeidler
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The recording industry on Tuesday sued XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. (XMSR.O:
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A spokesman for the Recording Industry Association of America, comprising major labels such as Vivendi Universal's Universal Music Group (EAUG.PA:
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The suit accuses XM Satellite of "massive wholesale infringement," and seeks $150,000 in damages for every song copied by XM customers using the devices, which went on sale earlier this month. XM, with more than 6.5 million subscribers, said it plays 160,000 different songs every month.
"...Because XM makes available vast catalogues of music in every genre, XM subscribers will have little need ever again to buy legitimate copies of plaintiffs' sound recordings," the lawsuit says referring to the hand held "Inno" device.
The suit says that XM has touted its service's advantages over the iPod and cites XM's advertising literature that says "It's not a Pod. It's the mothership."
XM said the Inno, which is manufactured by Pioneer Corp. (6773.T:
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While the labels are asserting the device has transformed radio broadcasts into a download service, XM said the device does not allow consumers to transfer recorded content. XM also said that content recorded from radio broadcasts like XM's is not on demand, in contrast to the content people buy from online music stores like Apple Computer Inc.'s (AAPL.O:
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XM said it will vigorously defend this lawsuit on behalf of consumers and also called the lawsuit a bargaining tactic.
The company's shares, which rose 4 percent to close at $17.63 on Nasdaq, were down 1.3 percent at $17.40 in after hours trading.
The labels are currently in talks with XM and its rival Sirius Satellite Radio (SIRI.O:
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XM and the labels had also been in talks about the licensing of content for the digital portable player, but failed to reach agreement, according to sources familiar with the matter. The labels had pressed for licenses similar to those required for services like iTunes, the sources said.
Sirius earlier this spring came to an agreement with music labels over the ability to save songs to its S50 portable satellite receivers that double as MP3 players.
"XM Radio is the largest single payer of digital music broadcast royalties, and royalties paid by XM go to the music industry and benefit artists directly," the satellite radio company said.
"The music labels are trying to stifle innovation, limit consumer choice and roll back consumers' rights to record content for their personal use," XM added.
"It's a question of economic impact. Will these devices substitute for the purchase of a record? Everything is changing and the industry is petrified," said Jay Cooper, an entertainment lawyer.
5/16/2006 09:25:00 PM
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