Sirius XM to face class action in copyright suit on songs pre-1972

Story by Reuters

A U.S. judge in California allowed a class action lawsuit to proceed on Sirius XM over the payment of royalties for songs produced before 1972. It’s a case that is being closely watched for its implications for digital media.

The ruling by U.S. District Judge Philip Gutierrez marks another win for members of the 1960s band the Turtles, known for the hit "Happy Together," and means the company could face claims from a broader group of artists.

"Sirius XM treats every single owner of a pre-1972 song the same, namely it doesn't pay them, so it was appropriate for this court to grant class certification," said Henry Gradstein, attorney for Flo & Eddie Inc, a company controlled by founding Turtles members Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman.

Gutierrez ruled last September that, under California state law, New York-based Sirius XM was liable for copyright infringement by airing the band's pre-1972 songs without paying royalties.

Flo & Eddie also sought to certify a class action against the company to bring in other artists in a similar situation. Sirius XM argued against certification because it said damages would be difficult to calculate accurately for different members of the class.

Gutierrez rejected that argument on Wednesday, saying "a class action is superior to individual litigation to the fair and efficient adjudication of the present controversy."