Merlin Settles Limewire Lawsuit, Payouts To Match Major Label Deal

Global independent music rights agency Merlin has settled a long running legal battle with defunct p2p service LimeWire.  No exact amount for the out of court settlement was named, but according to Merlin "it is commensurate with the major record labels’ ($105 million) settlement taking into account the aggregate market shares of the Merlin members relative to the major labels."

With Merlin's 10% global share, that would put the proceeds at between $5 million – the minimum requested when the suit was filed in July 2011- and $10.5 million – 10% of the najor label settlement.

Merlin will pay out the proceeds of the settlement to its members shortly.  Members include Epitaph, Merge, Warp, Yep Roc/Red Eye, Naïve, Naxos, Tommy Boy, One Little Indian, Kontor, Secretly Canadian, Beggars Group, [PIAS] Group,!K7, Sub Pop, Domino and Koch/E1

“It is deeply satisfying to announce this settlement today," Merlin CEO Charles Caldas said in a statement. "The exclusion of independents from past major settlements such as Kazaa was a key factor in the formation of Merlin, and I am proud to say that this time, via the actions of Merlin, our members’ rights have been properly protected."