SiriusXM Disputes $150M SoundExchange Lawsuit

SiriusXM has responded to the SoundExchange lawsuit alleging more than $150M in unpaid royalties and late fees owed for the use of recordings on the satellite streaming service.

Hypeboth.com reports the suit alleges that SiriusXM used an artificially low revenue calculation to determine payments by ascribing “excessive and unjustified value” to its webcasting services sold within bundled packages and removing that value from the satellite radio royalty pool. 

In its response, SiriusXM says that it has “always respected the rights of creators and artists” and argued that its calculations adhere to Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) regulations.

The satellite broadcaster also said that in the last ten years, it had paid SoundExchange royalties over $5 billion, representing over 80% of the statutory royalties that the PRO distributes to record labels and performers.

“While we are disappointed with the actions taken by SoundExchange today,” the SiriusXM statement continued, “we remain committed to paying artists fairly for their work and will continue to work collaboratively with SoundExchange, as we have for decades, to ensure they are paid properly under the governing regulations.”