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EMI Files Copyright Lawsuit Against Grooveshark

All four major label groups now suing the digital music service

January 6, 2012 9:05 AM ET
Grooveshark
Grooveshark
Courtesy of Grooveshark

Grooveshark, the popular digital music service that allows its users to upload music to share with others for free, is now being sued for copyright infringement by all four major label groups.

On Wednesday EMI Music Publishing filed suit for breach of contract against Grooveshark's parent company, Escape Media Group, claiming they have not made "a single royalty payment to EMI, nor provided a single accounting statement." EMI seeks unspecified damages from Escape, including at least $150,000 in royalties, according to documents obtained by the New York Times.

Photos: Random Notes

EMI's lawsuit is only the latest legal trouble for Grooveshark and Escape. Universal Music Group, the largest music company and imminent owner of EMI's recorded music division, filed a federal copyright infringement case against Grooveshark, which was later joined by Sony Music and Warner Music Group. Grooveshark has maintained that its services are protected by the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, which allows companies to host third-party material on web servers if they comply with take-down notices from copyright holders.

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