Eminem vs. UMG Digital Music Court Battle Ends With Secret Settlement

Universal Music and FBT Productions told a California Federal Court that a settlement has been reached in their legal battle over how digital royalties were calculated on early Eminem recordings.  The deal, which comes prior to the damages phase of the case, ends one of the mostly closely watched trials in the music industry.  Exactly how the secret settlement will effect dozens of similar pending lawsuits is unclear.

If the trial, during which an appellate court first ruled against Universal in 2010, had moved forward; it would have provided a roadmap for similar lawsuits against Universal and other major music groups.

For now, Universal has kept the curtain closed and slowed what could massive payouts to hundreds of heritage artists. It's unlikely, however, that the story ends here.