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MP3.com Inc. announced Monday that they have reached a settlement with Sony Music Entertainment. Sony, home to artists including Mariah Carey, Pearl Jam and Bruce Springsteen, was one of five major labels that won a copyright suit against MP3.com earlier this year.
At the heart of the suit was the San Diego-based company's service
called MyMP3.com. The service houses a database of more than 80,000
albums, which, when used with its software allowed users to access
digitally stored music and listen to it from any computer. In April
Federal District Court Judge Jed Rakoff ruled that MP3.com's
creation of that database was illegal under copyright law. A trial
to determine damages is scheduled for Aug. 28.
Sony is the fourth of the major labels to settle its suit with
MP3.com leaving only Universal Music Group with an unsettled claim
against the company. Terms of the settlement have not been
disclosed but the settlement will permit the site to continue
making music from Sony artists available.
"It is clear that Sony Music Entertainment understands and embraces
the Internet and values responsible technologies that excite
consumers and reward content owners," said MP3.com chairman and CEO
Michael Robertson in a statement. "MP3.com respects the rights of
copyright holders, and now, with this settlement and license, we
can offer consumers an avenue to access music online from CDs they
have purchased."
Sony too spoke enthusiastically of the agreement. "Sony Music has
always understood that changes in technology create new ways for
consumers to experience entertainment," Sony Music Entertainment
Senior VP, Al Smith said in a statement. "This licensing agreement
with MP3.com is one of a number of initiatives that we have
underway to enhance music fans' experience in an environment that
protects intellectual property rights."
CHRISTINA SARACENO
(August 23, 2000)